Winter Mushrooms?

[Jenn86]

Hi all! This is my first year hunting mushrooms. My kids and I started a few months ago, and have been lucky for find many different species, many of which have been edible! We live in east Tennessee, USA and the fall has been very mild (in fact, its been downright hot). As a result, I am finding mushrooms later in the season that most guides say that they ought to be here. I am curious what mushrooms might grow in our area during the winter. Although we sustain several hard freezes per year, generally the winters are pretty mild here (many warm days separated by cold snaps). I am using mushroom gathering as a learning tool with my homeschooled daughters. For some reason, mushroom hunting has really resonated with them and it provides ample opportunity for learning (measurements, observation skills, etc and good ol' fashioned time in the woods). Now that things are really starting to cool off here I am wondering what mushroom goodies the east Tennessee mountains might provide for us through the next couple of months. I would hate for the fun to end right when their little minds are newly-engaged. Any insights?

[CajunShroomer3578]

Welcome aboard from South Louisiana 

That is great to hear !! My wife and I have also incorporated wild mushrooms to our homeschool curriculum. Whether it be science or foraging!! Not very familiar with Tenn. mushrooms but here in the south we get lions mane and tons of oysters during winter months. On occasion I see honey mushrooms. 

[Jenn86]

Hello CajunShroomer! You have helped me before. I am happy to "meet" another homeschooling parent. My kids absolutely LOVE it and they end up doing some of the legwork for me 😁 It seems like every time that they go outside I end up with some random fungus laying on my counter 😅 We did find a patch of ringless honeys a couple of weeks ago. Most of them were getting old, and we ended up not getting positive ID before the ones that I harvested got dry. Now I know where to look for them though! When you find lions mane, is it usually pretty high up in the trees? Although we are new to mushroom hunting, we have always spent a lot of time in the woods, and I don't believe that I have ever seen one. The rockhound in me tends to keep my eyes to the ground though.

[LionelSherman]

That’s fantastic that mushroom hunting has become such a fun and educational activity for your family! In east Tennessee’s mild winters, you might find species like oyster mushrooms, wood ears, and possibly lion's mane if conditions are right. Look for them on dead or decaying wood, especially after rain during warmer spells. Winter is also a great time to focus on learning tree identification, as knowing host trees can help locate mushrooms even when fruiting slows down.If you're looking for a thrilling escape of your own, explore a world of chance and excitement https://fairgocasino.org/.That’s fantastic that mushroom hunting has become such a fun and educational activity for your family! In east Tennessee’s mild winters, you might find species like oyster mushrooms, wood ears, and possibly lion's mane if conditions are right. Look for them on dead or decaying wood, especially after rain during warmer spells. Winter is also a great time to focus on learning tree identification, as knowing host trees can help locate mushrooms even when fruiting slows down.

[Jenn86]

Hi Lionel! Thanks for the advice. We actually just got a tree guide for our area, so tree ID is definitely part of what we are doing. I admit, I suck at tree IDs 🤣 I will have to look into wood ears. I am not familiar with them. I appreciate the input!

[MonikaGreyyy]

On 11/12/2024 at 10:06 AM, Jenn86 said:

Hi all! This is my first year hunting mushrooms. My kids and I started a few months ago, and have been lucky for find many different species, many of which have been edible! We live in east Tennessee, USA and the fall has been very mild (in fact, its been downright hot). As a result, I am finding mushrooms later in the season that most guides say that they ought to be here. I am curious what mushrooms might grow in our area during the winter. Although we sustain several hard freezes per year, generally the winters are pretty mild here (many warm days separated by cold snaps). I am using mushroom gathering as a learning tool with my homeschooled daughters. For some reason, mushroom hunting has really resonated with them and it provides ample opportunity for learning (measurements, observation skills, etc and good ol' fashioned time in the woods). Now that things are really starting to cool off here I am wondering what mushroom goodies the east Tennessee mountains might provide for us through the next couple of months.The Australian https://speedau-casino.net/ theme is beautifully captured. I would hate for the fun to end right when their little minds are newly-engaged. Any insights?

Even through the winter, you can still find some hardy species that brave the cold. Late fall oysters (like Pleurotus ostreatus) often persist well into winter, especially after a warm spell following a freeze. Wood ear (Auricularia americana) is another cold-tolerant edible you might spot on dead hardwood. And while not edible, Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a beautiful polypore that’s great for ID practice and has medicinal uses.

[CajunShroomer3578]

On 11/12/2024 at 11:08 AM, Jenn86 said:

Hello CajunShroomer! You have helped me before. I am happy to "meet" another homeschooling parent. My kids absolutely LOVE it and they end up doing some of the legwork for me 😁 It seems like every time that they go outside I end up with some random fungus laying on my counter 😅 We did find a patch of ringless honeys a couple of weeks ago. Most of them were getting old, and we ended up not getting positive ID before the ones that I harvested got dry. Now I know where to look for them though! When you find lions mane, is it usually pretty high up in the trees? Although we are new to mushroom hunting, we have always spent a lot of time in the woods, and I don't believe that I have ever seen one. The rockhound in me tends to keep my eyes to the ground though.

Sorry for such a late response. I’ve spotted lions mane anywhere from eye level to 30+ feet in a tree. 
 

we’ve been pretty busy with starting a chicken farm. Not a lot of foraging going on. My girls are starting to reach that age that I trust they won’t bend over and pick anything up before checking for snakes. Our mushroom hunting grounds are infested with cotton mouths and copperheads. Hope everything is well in Tennessee