This debate once split mushroom enthusiasts into two distinct camps, but research has since shown that neither method harms the mycelium – the underground fungal network. A 1975 study conducted over several decades in Switzerland, revealed that both cutting and plucking mushrooms have no long-term negative effects on future yields or species richness of wild fungi, even with systematic harvesting.
So, how do we decide which approach to take? As with many things in the natural world, it depends on the individual situation.
When to Pluck Mushrooms
If I’m trying to identify a mushroom down to its species and need to see it’s basal features for some clarification, I tend to carefully pull the entire specimen from the ground. This often involves gently excavating the base to check for identifying features like remnants of a universal veil or changes in colour. These features may be hidden beneath layers of leaf litter but spending a few extra minutes can reveal valuable details.
There are a few guidelines I follow when plucking:
- Scarcity matters: If there’s only one mushroom of this type in the area, I’ll leave it to mature and spread its spores, knowing I can always return later to the same spot and hopefully find some more.
- Identification first: If I can identify a mushroom without excavating its base, I do. And when I do pluck, I choose specimens that are neither too mature, immature nor too damaged by wildlife, as these are less helpful for accurate identification.
Why Cutting Mushrooms is Practical
On the other hand, when foraging for edible mushrooms, cutting is often the preferred method. If you’re confident in your identification, cutting the mushroom at the soil level makes perfect sense. The base of the mushroom is where you’re most likely to encounter dirt, slug trails, or damage from woodland critters. This means that you will have to do less cleaning of the mushrooms later and they won’t contaminate each other with stray bits of soil and moss when in the basket.
This method is especially useful in damp conditions, as wet mushrooms tend to cling to soil. Cutting also leaves part of the mushroom behind for wildlife to eat, ensuring that the forest’s ecosystem continues to thrive. Ethically, this aligns with the principle of foraging sustainably – only taking what you need and leaving enough specimens behind for the spores to spread.
Ethical Foraging: Leave No Trace
Whichever method you choose, it’s always good practice to leave the foraging site as undisturbed as possible. When you pluck a mushroom, it’s a good idea to gently cover the small hole left behind with surrounding leaves or soil. This protects the delicate mycelial threads that may have been exposed, helping to maintain the natural humidity and protect the fungal network.
Similarly, if you cut the mushroom, covering the stump with its natural surroundings allows it to break down naturally, as it would have done had it been left untouched. An added benefit? It leaves less of a visual trace for future visitors. In some popular foraging spots, like areas known for Porcini, the forest floor can become pock-marked with holes where mushrooms have been harvested, making the area look disturbed.
The Impacts of Mushroom Foraging
While other factors, like soil compaction and over-foraging, can have a greater impact on the environment, the choice between cutting or plucking mushrooms doesn’t seem to cause significant harm. The long-term study mentioned earlier also confirms this, noting that neither method of harvesting reduces future yields or fungal diversity. However, it’s important to be mindful of trampling the forest floor, as this can reduce the number of fruiting bodies, although the study found no evidence that trampling damages the soil mycelium. That could change as we learn more about fungi, but for now, I’ll stick with my current approach – always considering the environment, the species, and the purpose of my foraging.
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