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Scottish Wild Mushroom Code – Wild mushroom, what and how to collect?
It’s a very good year for fungi, and we have quite a range of mushrooms in our wood that I like to look at but am too cautious to try to eat. But for those of you who are more adventurous than I am here is some useful information:
What to collect
- Wildlife, especially insects, need mushrooms too, so only pick what you will use.
- Some mushrooms are poisonous and others rare and should not be collected – only collect what you know and take a field guide with you to identify mushrooms where you find them.
- Some species are vulnerable, so please consider whether there is an alternative species that is more common that might suit your purpose.
How to collect
- Allow mushrooms to release spores, do not pick mushrooms until the cap has opened out and leave those that are past their best.
- The main part of the mushroom is below the surface; take care not to damage or trample it and not to disturb its surroundings.
- Scatter trimmings discreetly in the same area as the mushroom came from.
Check out these links if you want to know more
