Mushrooms that grow on trees are fungi that thrive on living or dead wood, feeding on nutrients in bark, trunks, or fallen branches. These fungi play an important ecological role by breaking down tough wood fibers, returning nutrients to the soil, and helping maintain healthy forest ecosystems. Some species are parasitic, harming the tree, while others are saprophytic, feeding only on dead or decaying wood.
Common examples of tree-growing mushrooms include oyster mushrooms, shiitake, chicken of the woods, and bracket fungi. Oyster and shiitake mushrooms are often cultivated on logs for edible purposes, while bracket fungi grow as hard, shelf-like structures on living trees, sometimes persisting for years.
These mushrooms prefer moist, shaded environments, which help their spores germinate and mycelium spread through the wood. Trees with weakened or dead branches are especially susceptible to fungal growth, as the wood is easier for the fungus to colonize. Some species even produce visually striking flowers or caps, adding interest to forests and gardens.
Mushrooms growing on trees can be beneficial in moderation. Saprophytic fungi recycle nutrients, improve soil health, and support forest biodiversity. However, parasitic fungi can weaken trees over time, sometimes causing structural damage or decline, so gardeners and foresters often monitor tree health carefully.
Mushrooms that Grow on Trees
Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Oyster mushrooms are commonly found growing on dead or dying hardwood trees such as oak, beech, and poplar. They have fan-shaped caps that range from white to grey or tan. These mushrooms are prized for their delicate flavor and are popular in cooking. They also help decompose wood, playing an important ecological role.
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Chicken of the Woods grows on living or dead trees, especially oaks and other hardwoods. Its bright orange-yellow shelf-like fruiting bodies are easy to spot. They have a meaty texture and are edible when young, often used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes.
Artist’s Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)
Artist’s Conk is a large, woody mushroom that grows on both living and dead trees. The upper surface is brown and hard, while the underside is white and can be etched into “art,” hence its name. It is not edible but has been used in traditional medicine.
Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
Reishi mushrooms grow on hardwood trees such as maple and oak. They have a shiny, reddish-brown cap and a tough, woody texture. Highly valued in traditional medicine, reishi is known for its immune-boosting properties rather than culinary use.
Hen of the Woods (Maitake) (Grifola frondosa)
Hen of the Woods is a clustered, leafy mushroom that grows at the base of oak trees. It forms large, rosette-like masses that can weigh several kilograms. Edible and flavorful, it is sought after by chefs and mushroom foragers alike.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Turkey Tail is a thin, fan-shaped fungus that grows on dead hardwoods. Its multicolored, concentric bands give it the appearance of a turkey’s tail. It is not typically eaten for taste but is used in herbal medicine for its potential immune-boosting compounds.
Jack-O’-Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus olearius)
Jack-O’-Lantern mushrooms grow on decaying hardwood trees and stumps. They are bright orange and can glow faintly in the dark (bioluminescent). They are toxic if eaten but are notable for their striking appearance.
Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae)
Varnish Shelf mushrooms grow on conifers, especially hemlock trees. They have a shiny, varnished appearance on the top surface. While technically edible when young, they are mostly used medicinally, similar to reishi.
Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina)
Birch Polypore grows almost exclusively on birch trees. It has a hoof-shaped fruiting body with a smooth upper surface and white pores underneath. Historically, it has been used for medicinal and practical purposes, including as a natural bandage and tinder.
Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus)
Chaga grows primarily on birch trees and appears as a black, irregular, woody mass on the trunk. It is not eaten fresh but brewed as a tea for its purported antioxidant and medicinal properties. It is highly valued in traditional herbal medicine.
Black Knot Fungus (Apiosporina morbosa)
Black Knot Fungus primarily affects cherry and plum trees, forming hard, black, elongated growths on branches. While not edible, it is notable for its appearance and its impact on orchard health, often used as a marker for disease management.
Dryad’s Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus)
Dryad’s Saddle grows on dead or dying hardwoods and forms large, scaly, fan-shaped fruiting bodies. It is edible when young and tender, with a mild flavor. This mushroom plays an important role in decomposing hardwood logs and returning nutrients to the soil.
Elm Oyster (Hypsizygus ulmarius)
Elm Oyster mushrooms grow on living and dead elm trees. They have creamy-white, oyster-shaped caps and grow in clusters. Edible and mild in flavor, they are often used in soups, stir-fries, and sautéed dishes. They also help decompose wood, contributing to forest nutrient cycling.
Shaggy Bracket (Inonotus hispidus)
Shaggy Bracket grows on hardwood trees like apple, oak, and willow. It forms irregular, brown, hairy brackets that attach to the trunk. While not edible, it plays a significant ecological role by breaking down dead wood and providing habitats for insects.
Pheasant’s Back Mushroom (Cerioporus squamosus, also called Dryad’s Saddle)
Pheasant’s Back forms large, fan-shaped caps with brown scales resembling a pheasant’s feathers. It grows on dead hardwoods and is edible when young. Its large size and distinctive pattern make it easy to spot in forests and along trails.
False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostrea)
False Turkey Tail grows on decaying hardwoods and forms thin, leathery, overlapping brackets. Unlike true Turkey Tail, it lacks pores underneath. It is not edible but is important for wood decomposition and forest health.
Birch Tinder Fungus (Fomes fomentarius)
Birch Tinder Fungus grows on birch and other hardwoods. Its hoof-shaped fruiting body has a hard outer layer and was historically used as tinder. While not eaten, it has medicinal applications and was important in traditional fire-starting methods.
Honey Mushroom (Armillaria mellea)
Honey Mushrooms grow on living or dead hardwoods, often in large clusters at the base of trees. They are edible but must be cooked thoroughly, as raw mushrooms can cause stomach upset. They are known for their sweet, nutty flavor and are popular among foragers.
Elm Bracket (Trametes gibbosa)
Elm Bracket grows on dead elm trees and forms semicircular, hard, woody caps. Not edible, it is primarily important for decomposing wood. Its shelf-like appearance makes it easy to identify in forests and orchards.
Pheasant’s Back Polypore (Polyporus squamosus)
This mushroom is similar to Dryad’s Saddle and grows on dead hardwoods like elm and maple. Its scaly, large caps resemble a pheasant’s back, giving it its name. Young specimens are edible and tender, but older caps become tough and woody.
Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae)
This mushroom grows specifically on conifers such as hemlock. It has a shiny, varnished appearance and woody texture. While primarily used for medicinal purposes like reishi, it plays a role in decomposing dead trees.
King Stropharia (Stropharia rugosoannulata)
King Stropharia grows on hardwood stumps, logs, and mulch-rich areas. It has large, brown caps and is edible, often cultivated for home mushroom gardens. It also improves soil fertility by decomposing wood and organic matter.
Blackfoot Polypore (Polyporus melanopus)
Blackfoot Polypore grows on dead hardwoods and forms dark, woody brackets with blackish stems. Not edible, it helps break down tough wood and contributes to the nutrient cycle in forests. Its distinct dark base makes it easy to identify.
Veiled Polypore (Sarcomyxa serotina)
Veiled Polypore grows on decaying hardwood logs and produces fan-shaped clusters of yellowish-brown caps. It is edible when young and tender. Its late-season fruiting (fall) makes it popular among mushroom foragers.
Sulphur Shelf (Chicken of the Woods) (Laetiporus sulphureus)
Sulphur Shelf mushrooms grow on living or dead hardwoods, especially oak, cherry, and chestnut. They form bright orange-yellow shelf-like clusters and are edible when young. Known for their meaty texture and chicken-like flavor, they are popular among foragers and chefs.
Blue Staining Polypore (Gyroporus cyanescens)
Blue Staining Polypore grows on decaying hardwood stumps and logs. Its flesh turns blue when cut or bruised, making it distinctive. While generally edible, it is less commonly foraged due to its rarity. It plays an important role in decomposing wood in forest ecosystems.
Elm Oyster Mushroom (Hypsizygus ulmarius)
Elm Oyster Mushrooms grow on elm, beech, and other hardwood trees. They form dense clusters of creamy-white, oyster-shaped caps. Edible and mild in flavor, they are often used in soups, stir-fries, and sautéed dishes. They also help recycle nutrients by decomposing dead wood.