I am looking for advice on how to obtain an oak log or two. I got some shiitake mushroom starter plugs at the garden show in Seattle, and it seems that they grow best on oak logs. But I am having the hardest time trying to find one or two oak logs to plant them in. I’ve tried craigslist, and can’t seem to find a thing. My tree identification skills are not exactly up to par, and I don’t know the rules for cutting parts of trees in the forest, so I wonder if you have any advice for a novice mushroom grower. I really only need two logs, about 6 inches in diameter and maybe 3-4 feet long. This is proving to be a much more daunting task than I ever imagined!
Have you tried contacting Plant Amnesty? They maintain a list of certified arborists, some of whom will probably have occasion to prune or cut down an oak tree at some point. That might be one way of obtaining a log.
You might also try posting on the Pacific Northwest Garden Exchange (watch out–annoying ads!).
As far as cutting branches on public forest land, you should contact the Washington Department of Natural Resources before proceeding. They have information on harvesting and collecting forest products, and how to obtain a firewood permit.
Once oak trees have leafed out fully, they should be easier to identify. See the following tree identification guides:
- Vanderbilt University
- Ohio Public Library Information Network’s “What Tree Is it?”
- Arbor Day Foundation