Logs from Invasive Tree Species Promising for Mushroom Production

The Weed Science Society of America reports that an article in the latest issue of Invasive Plant Science and Management provides new insights on the varying potential for using invasive tree logs to grow edible, marketable mushrooms. The study’s lead author, Kristen Bowers, Ph.D., New Mexico State University postdoc research scientist and USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) biological science technician, explains that the cost of removing invasive tree species can be prohibitive for landowners. Using logs from these trees to grow marketable mushroom crops could be a win-win situation for the environment and for farmers. Some trees performed better as a base for mushroom crops than others, in this study in Florida and Georgia. “Our research project demonstrated the viability of logs from invasive trees to produce edible mushrooms on small farms in the Southeastern United States as an additional income source,” notes Bowers.