Mushroom foraging

Submitted by Caden_Smith324- t3_111e5pm in pittsburgh

This might be way too niche of a topic for this sub but does anyone know a good place to forage for wild mushrooms in the area? would love to find some chicken of the woods.

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lexispots t1_j8e5hbd wrote

Typically, I forage for mushrooms in the woods by my house in Westmoreland County, on the CONSOL property in Washington County, Ohiopyle trails in Fayette County, and a couple state parks in the Laurel Highlands in Somerset County. Maybe try some of the parks like Marine State Park, North Park, South Park, or Boyce Park. I will be interested in other redditor's suggestions for mushroom foraging in Allegheny County.

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Open_Philosopher8020 t1_j8ec9ye wrote

Not sure nationwide tiktok trends are niche, that’s like calling bouldering niche

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notnutts t1_j8eka6h wrote

I've found COTW several places in South Park. I just wander off the bike trails.

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JustHereForTheSaul t1_j8epja9 wrote

My cousin, now deceased, knew where to find COTW in Allegheny Cemetery. I don't know where, though. It's a big cemetery. Have fun!

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Practical_Baseball69 t1_j8ev6tt wrote

cotw is typically found more around the fall, but you can honestly find it anywhere there are woods!

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sambronson t1_j8eveuq wrote

Hey op, I forage a ton of mushrooms around pittsburgh. If you want to find them, you have to find old stands of oak. From early june to october, they will produce several types of edible mushrooms.

Deer lakes and Frick are where I recommend. You can also easily pick oysters, chanterelles, and hen of the woods around oaks.

Timing is key in Pittsburgh. I find em when they are just starting and watch em for a week or so before I pick. They get buggy if it's a dry year and moldy if it's a wet year.

You can also pick morels in Pittsburgh. But again, you have to know what trees and what time to look. Target ash, dying elm, apple, and living tulip poplar between end of April to mid may.

Also the bane of mushroom season is poison ivy and ticks. Watch where you pick and be smart.

Also, I wouldn't pick anywhere that treats soil or has been mined. Mushrooms are like sponges so while people pick in the yard of Allegheny national cemetery, I wouldn't recommend it.

Feel free to dm me if you have specific questions. Good luck and happy hunting.

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JAK3CAL t1_j8ex356 wrote

Mingo.

I live right next to this, and find COW on my own property. Yum!

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lazy_daisy_72 t1_j8exbzm wrote

We saw an incredible amount at oil creek state park around labor day weekend. An entire downed tree just covered in it right along the trail.

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AffenTittenGeil t1_j8eyx74 wrote

I joined the Western PA Mushroom Club for a few years and went on a lot of walks with them. Went to a different park every week and now have my favorite spots based on that. There are really experienced people in the group who can help teach you how to identify and can confirm what you have, which is really important if you're new to foraging.

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talldean t1_j8gc9ei wrote

I've found a huuuuge chicken of the woods in Homewood Cemetery up by Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze. That cemetery is also an arboretum, and this was fully covering a tree stump that was maybe 3' across. Towards the center of the place, two years ago, and I can't remember the exact spot or I'd just link it.

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IamChantus t1_j8gwtr0 wrote

Replying to sambronson (#1,799,994)

I'm a bit high and was wondering "when did folk lay minefields in Pittsburgh?", then realized you probably meant coal mines and the such.

Though it would be good advice to to stay out of minefields in general I guess, so either way.

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sircaseyjames t1_j8ib5qj wrote

Thing about foraging is you don't really give up your stashes lol. That said, cotw is relatively easy to find in most wooded areas around here. Wrong time of year though.

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