Do Mushrooms Grow by Weeping Willows?

Habitat

• Weeping willows prefer very moist soils and mushrooms can be found on decaying branches that have fallen off the mother tree or attached to the base of the trunk. Willow trees hold lots of water in their tissues and the oyster mushroom in particular thrives in this type of environment.

Season

• Hunt for mushrooms near weeping willow trees from April through November. Willows can host a variety of different mushrooms that individually fruit at the different temperatures of spring, summer and fall. Morels favor developing during spring, and chanterelles can be found near willow during July and August.

Temperature

• Mushrooms put out a fruiting body when the daytime and nighttime temperatures drop by at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit. A cold front with rain will bring the neccessary drop in temperature and needed moisture to cause mushrooms to fruit. Temperature and humidity under a weeping willow are kept in range by the canopy of the tree that cascades to the ground.