Claire Thompson
Chicken of the woods is a type of fungus that grows on trees, stumps, or roots of dead or dying trees. It is also known as chicken mushroom, sulphur shelf, or sulphur polypore. This fungus is usually found on oak trees, but it can also grow on cherry, beech, poplar, eucalyptus, yew, cedar, and ash trees. Chicken of the woods is edible and can be cooked in various ways, such as sautéing, simmering in soup, or frying with butter. However, it is important to exercise caution when consuming chicken of the woods, as some species may grow on trees that contain compounds that are poisonous to humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Chicken of the woods |
| Scientific name | Laetiporus sulphureus |
| Other names | Chicken mushroom, sulphur shelf, sulphur polypore |
| Type | Bracket fungus |
| Habitat | Grows on dead or sick/dying hardwood trees, including oak, cherry, beech, poplar, eucalyptus, yew, cedar, and ash |
| Edibility | All species are edible and can be cooked or eaten raw, but caution is advised as some trees contain compounds poisonous to humans |
| Nutrition | Per 100 g (dry weight): 15 g protein, 70.9 g carbohydrates, 2.1 g fat, 5.8 g ash, 5.8 g fiber |
| Cultivation | Can be grown on treated logs from hardwood tree species |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken of the woods is edible and can be cooked in butter
Chicken of the Woods, or Laetiporus sulphureus, is an edible mushroom that can be cooked in butter. This mushroom gets its name from its similar texture to chicken when cooked. It is also known as a Sulphur Shelf mushroom due to its bright colour and large size. While it can be found anytime from early spring to late fall, the best time to find it is in September and October.
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are typically found on dead trees or logs, including ash trees. When foraging, it is important to only pick these mushrooms from dead trees or logs and to triple-confirm your identification with an experienced mushroom forager before consuming any fungi. It is also important to note that mushrooms found near roadsides may have absorbed car emissions or been contaminated by weed killers, so it is best to avoid consuming these.
After picking your mushrooms, it is important to clean them. Unlike most other mushrooms, Chicken of the Woods mushrooms will soak up water and become soggy and flavourless, so it is best to wipe them with a damp cloth or sponge and use a soft-bristled brush to scrub out any dirt. These mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for future use.
When cooking Chicken of the Woods mushrooms in butter, one method is to sauté them in a skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter in the skillet, add the mushrooms, and sauté until soft. Then, add onions and continue cooking until they are soft and translucent. Next, add garlic and additional butter, sautéing for a few more minutes. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste, along with rice if desired. This makes for a delicious and savoury dish that can be enjoyed as a snack or topping for salad or rice.
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are not only edible but also provide an interesting and unique culinary experience, offering a similar texture to chicken when prepared correctly. With their bright colour and large size, they are a fascinating find for foragers and chefs alike.
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It grows on dead ash trees, oak trees, and other hardwoods
Chicken of the woods is a type of fungus, often referred to as a mushroom. It is also known as chicken mushroom, sulphur shelf, or sulphur polypore. It is usually found on oak trees, but it can also grow on other types of hardwood trees, including ash, cherry, beech, and poplar. It is slightly parasitic to its host tree.
This fungus grows on the sides of standing trees, stumps, or roots of dead or sick/dying trees. It is often seen at the base or on the side of trees, where it forms bright yellow and orange-coloured clusters. It is a saprotrophic fungus, meaning it gets its nutrients by absorbing dissolved organic material.
Chicken of the woods is edible and can be cooked in various ways, such as sautéing with butter or olive oil and adding it to salads, soups, or other vegetables. However, caution should be exercised when consuming this fungus, as some species can grow on trees that contain compounds poisonous to humans, such as eucalyptus, yew, and cedar. It is recommended to only consume chicken of the woods that have grown on hardwood or deciduous trees.
Chicken of the woods can also be grown in a garden setting by ordering "plugs" inoculated with the mushroom. These plugs are inserted into holes drilled into a hardwood log, covered with melted wax, and allowed to fruit for about six months before the first harvest.
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$14.59
It is a choice edible when gathered before toughness sets in
Chicken of the woods, or chicken mushroom, is a choice edible when gathered before toughness sets in. This stage ensures the mushroom is tender and delectable. It is best to sauté the mushroom with butter or olive oil and sprinkle it with salt, making it an excellent snack or salad topping. It can also be simmered in a soup or sautéed with other vegetables.
Chicken of the woods is a bright yellow and orange-coloured bracket fungus that grows on trees, stumps, or roots of dead or sick/dying trees. It is scientifically known as Laetiporus sulphureus and is a parasite that attacks the heartwood of living oaks and other hardwoods, such as ash trees, and decomposes them. It can also be found on cherry, beech, poplar, eucalyptus, yew, and cedar trees. However, it is not advisable to consume chicken of the woods growing on trees containing compounds poisonous to humans, such as eucalyptus, yew, and cedar. Therefore, it is safer to consume chicken mushrooms growing on oak and other hardwoods.
When foraging for chicken of the woods, it is crucial to properly identify the mushroom with the help of an experienced mushroom forager. The mushroom can be identified by its orange, stalkless, shelf-like caps that overlap and fan out in clusters. It is also essential to cook the mushroom thoroughly before consuming it.
Chicken of the woods can be grown in a garden by purchasing "plugs" inoculated with the mushroom. These plugs are placed in holes drilled into a hardwood log, covered with melted wax, and allowed to fruit for about six months before harvesting the mushrooms. Alternatively, logs can be treated by pressure cooking, steaming, or boiling before planting chicken of the woods.
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It is a brown heart rot fungus and saprobe
Chicken of the Woods, or Laetiporus sulphureus, is a brown heart rot fungus and saprobe. This means that it attacks the heartwood of living oaks and other hardwood trees, causing decay and eventually leading to tree death. While the fungus gets its nutrients by absorbing dissolved organic material, it is not solely dependent on living trees and can also decompose dead heartwood tissues. This characteristic sets it apart from early assumptions about heart-rot infections, which were believed to occur only through exposed heartwood in branch stubs.
As a brown-rot fungus, Laetiporus sulphureus is unable to degrade lignin, a critical component of wood structure. This limitation distinguishes it from white-rot fungi, which are more effective wood-decay fungi capable of attacking all compounds found in woods, including lignin. White-rot fungi, such as Irpex sp., Trametes sp., and Heterobasidion sp., have a much higher decomposition potential than their brown-rot counterparts. They produce a range of products from polysaccharides and lignin, including ethanol, and have applications in bioremediation due to their ability to degrade lignocellulosic compounds and other pollutants.
The impact of brown heart rot fungi like Laetiporus sulphureus can be significant. For example, the fungus may cause fruit rot in pomegranates, leading to substantial economic losses. Initially, the infection is marked by brown soft rot, which eventually turns black and dry. The fungus spreads internally, causing aril decay and resulting in fruit losses of up to 40-50% in certain regions.
Laetiporus sulphureus is also known for its ability to repeatedly fruit from a host, ensuring its long-term survival and impact on the affected tree. This characteristic is important to note for those interested in foraging for chicken mushrooms. While the fungus is edible and makes for a tasty snack or salad topping, it is crucial to identify it correctly and confirm its host tree to avoid potential allergic reactions and gastric distress associated with consuming mushrooms from certain tree species.
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Chicken of the woods can be grown in your garden
Chicken of the Woods, also known as chicken mushroom, sulphur shelf, or sulphur polypore, is a fungus that grows on trees. It is commonly found on oak trees, but it can also grow on other hardwood trees such as cherry, beech, poplar, and ash. This mushroom is a choice edible and can be sautéed, added to salads, or used in soups.
While chicken of the woods typically grows on trees in the wild, it is possible to cultivate it in your garden. Here are some steps and tips to grow chicken of the woods at home:
Choosing the Right Tree Species
Chicken of the woods has a preference for hardwood trees, particularly oaks and green ash. It is important to select a healthy, living tree or branch for cultivation. While the fungus can grow on other tree species, such as eucalyptus, yew, and cedar, these trees may contain compounds that are poisonous to humans, so it is not advisable to consume the mushrooms grown on these species.
Preparing the Log
To grow chicken of the woods, you will need to prepare a log from the chosen tree species. Cut the log to the desired size, ensuring it has been cut within the past two weeks. The log must then be treated by pressure cooking, steaming, or boiling. This step is crucial as chicken of the woods is slightly parasitic to its host tree, and this treatment helps prepare the log for cultivation.
Using Mushroom Plugs
After preparing the log, the next step is to obtain chicken of the woods "plugs." These plugs resemble miniature corks and are inoculated with the mushroom mycelium. You can purchase these plugs from specialty suppliers, such as Mushroom Mountain. Drill plug-sized holes into the prepared log and insert the mushroom plugs. Cover the holes with melted wax to seal them, and then wait patiently for the mushrooms to grow.
Harvesting and Cooking
It can take about six months or more for the chicken of the woods mushrooms to fruit. Once they appear, you can harvest them and prepare them in various ways. Before consuming any foraged mushrooms, it is crucial to properly identify them and exercise caution, especially if you are new to foraging. Always cook chicken of the woods thoroughly before eating, as this species may cause allergic reactions or gastric distress in some individuals.
Growing chicken of the woods in your garden can be a rewarding experience, providing you with a delicious and abundant food source. By following the proper steps and sourcing the right materials, you can successfully cultivate this beautiful and edible fungus at home.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken of the woods usually grow on oak trees but they can also be found on ash trees, cherry, beech, poplar, and other hardwoods.
All species of chicken of the woods are edible and taste great, but some are better tasting than others. It is not advisable to eat chicken of the woods growing on any tree species other than hardwoods/deciduous trees since the fungi may contain compounds that are poisonous to humans.
Put them in a pan with some water and put a lid on it until it's thoroughly cooked and the water is gone. Then, take the lid off, add butter, put the lid back on, and let it cook a while longer.
Yes, you can. You will need to order chicken of the woods "plugs" that are inoculated with the mushroom. Drill plug-sized holes in a hardwood log, put the mushroom plugs in the holes, cover them with melted wax, and wait about 6+ months before harvesting your first fruit.
