How to Stack Your Mushroom Logs for Winter Storage

There are several ways you can stack your logs so they make it through the winter unscathed.
For northern climates use: Low lean-to, wide lean-to, or tight crib stack
For warmer climates use: High lean-to, wide lean-to, open crib stack, or A-frame

[@deirdrebest8482]

Thank you, this was very helpful.

[@nancymuller7370]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@niceglass6484]

I’m in Zone 6b what type of winter would you base my zone as

[@markyjrocks68]

would you recommend normal logs over totems for areas that get a lot of snow fall? i’m up in the sierras

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We would recommend normal logs just because it gets so dry in the sierras. Normal logs can be kept close to the ground and mulched in with pine needles to keep from drying out which, depending where you are, could be extremely beneficial.

[@flyfishing71]

So it's been a few years since I did inoculation on logs for shiitake mushroom will I want to start again this fall in Missouri?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

We're always inclined to say yes! Fall is a great time to begin again.

[@austinalley6036]

Does this apply to every species of mushroom plug inoculated?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

For winter storage yes, for fruiting configurations it will vary slightly with each species!

[@nickyc5902]

Can you stack logs with different varieties of mushrooms together? Like stacking oyster mushrooms with shitake.

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Yes you can. Generally we stack them apart just so that we can keep everything straight, but the mycelium won't "jump" from one log to another.

[@scottcozart8950]

I tried to grow shitake mushrooms on logs. And had great success. The first batch were Beautiful. But when I ate them I fried some in butter. And few hours later I was throwing up. So I e gave up on them. I ate some my friend grew and I was fine. Before I started growing my own. So I think I did something wrong. Could you tell me what might have happened

[@FieldandForestProducts]

It is possible that there was some other look-a-like fungi that grew on the log, the closest thing would be Galerina which has a similar color, but different shape.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

well as six inches snow sets in. haha. thanks -

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Haha shoot! Well at least your logs have a nice snow blanket now!

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

@@FieldandForestProducts thanks - yes they survived my first winter in northern Minnesota. So I think the snow blanket was the secret.

[@zleereed]

what is best strain to grow on cottonwood? Thank you

[@FieldandForestProducts]

Nameko or Oyster are excellent producers on cottonwood.

[@zleereed]

@@FieldandForestProducts Thank you. How about smooth barked maples?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@zleereed Do you know what specific maple it is? Red maple has smooth bark and young sugar maple does as well. Both can be used for shiitake though hard maples are better than soft maples.

[@zleereed]

@@FieldandForestProducts red, i do believe. worth inoculating with shiitake?

[@FieldandForestProducts]

@@zleereed Yes! I would check out this link for using Red Maple for shiitake: www.fieldforest.net/product/520/BLOG