Well I was so happy months ago when I scored about 30 rounds of White Oak from a local compost site, but tonight I was walking around looking at the woodpiles and I see that some of it has orange-white fungus on the cutside and some on the bark. Is this common for White Oak? I can't recall seeing orange fungus before....I tried scraping it off with a putty knife but it is on pretty good, thanks to this "lovely" weather we've been having here in PA. all Summer long. The wood is still solid and not rotting at all, but it seems pretty dry-I hope all the pieces don't start developing it!
Orange fungus on White Oak
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Paulywalnut
Minister of Fire
I'm not sure how common, but I too have the orange fungi on my oak. Seems to be only on the tops. We sure have had a lot of rain in our area.
Probably helping to create fungi.
Probably helping to create fungi.
fireview2788
Minister of Fire
I've got fungus on almost all my firewood, until it gets really dry then it's gone. You'll be fine once the moisture is gone from the wood.
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fireview2788
Minister of Fire
I've got fungus on almost all my firewood, until it gets really dry then it's gone. You'll be fine once the moisture is gone from the wood.
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How about a picture of it? Is it big, in large, scallop-like clumps? Orange on the top, yellow on the underside? Might be "chicken of the woods", which is a damm good eatin' 'shroom!!
aansorge
Minister of Fire
I thought the puffballs around here tasted like black licorice....and I HATE black licorice....
But there's a chicken growing on my neighbor's oak tree (used to be my grandparent's house), going to pick it tomorrow evening and fry it up!! I like them fried with a little egg and cracker batter in a skillet with some butter.....oh, man are they good!
Woody Stover
Minister of Fire
I think I saw that while I was cutting today. You mean I didn't have to waste my time going home for lunch??
MrWhoopee
Minister of Fire
.How about a picture of it? Is it big, in large, scallop-like clumps? Orange on the top, yellow on the underside? Might be "chicken of the woods", which is a damm good eatin' 'shroom!!
I'll second that. I found some a couple of years ago and brought them home. Heidi had never seen 'em before but fried them up. Now she's on me come fall to find more. Once cooked, they freeze and keep for a long time. Ours are brighter orange than the picture, they look fake.
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
Its some type of wood rot fungus. Yes it has to do with the moisture. As your piles dry they will be dine and no they won't rot away as long as they dry out between rains in sun.
Thistle
Minister of Fire
How about a picture of it? Is it big, in large, scallop-like clumps? Orange on the top, yellow on the underside? Might be "chicken of the woods", which is a damm good eatin' 'shroom!!
Oh yeah.....Little butter or olive oil,fresh cracked pepper & fry those up in cast iron skillet & serve with roast chicken or pork loin,carrots,some brown rice or pasta & a mixed green salad.
How about a picture of it? Is it big, in large, scallop-like clumps? Orange on the top, yellow on the underside? Might be "chicken of the woods", which is a damm good eatin' 'shroom!!
Thanks for the picture, Scotty-it is that color but it isn't "mushroom-like", it is just flat growth on the cutsides and some on the outsides of the bark, but flat, not an outward growth.
JoeyD
Minister of Fire
How about a picture of it? Is it big, in large, scallop-like clumps? Orange on the top, yellow on the underside? Might be "chicken of the woods", which is a damm good eatin' 'shroom!!
Back when my grandfather was alive the guys would go out and bring these mushrooms back.As far as I know they only grow on oak. None of the fellas would tell any one else where their source was which I always thought was funny.
Most of the family loved these but I'm not a fungus eating kind of guy.
It took me a long time to learn what kinds you can eat and what kinds you can't.....I love mushrooms...
This kind only grows on oaks (I believe the sapwood is what this 'shroom prefers), and it has to be 'just right' for it to bloom (damp, cool, shady conditions).
I'm going for a ride this evening to check my secret spot for some.......
aansorge
Minister of Fire
I think I spotted some today, but I'm taking my aunt with me to make sure. Also, it is growing on an old stump, but I thought it was a pine stump.
I'd only eat it if it comes off of an oak stump......but make sure it's chicken of the woods for sure, might be something you can't eat.
check this link out below for some info....
http://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/chicken-of-the-woods.html
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
So after the rest are done eating, the end result if for you to not worry about the fungi at all. Your wood will still be good with the exception that you no doubt already know that white oak won't dry in a year. Give it 3 and you thank me.
The Beagler
Burning Hunk
I picked some (chicken-of-the-woods) from a damaged ash tree last fall. They were growing from where a large limb broke off several years ago.
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