Log growing and tree recommendations
To get the best out of your out door mushroom growing kit, you’ll have to carefully select you the perfect log - hardwood logs are the preferred wood, but fruit trees will also feed your mushrooms for several years.
We have dawn up a table below and added to below to help you source the best log for your mushrooms.
You’ll require a freshly felled log, from a healthy tree with its bark still intact. We recommend you avoid soft woods, yew trees and conifers.
Your log will need to still be ‘green’ and have been cut within the last 6-8 weeks. Any longer and there is a risk your log may have been contaminated with another type of fungus already.
What’s inside your grow at home kit:
Timber dowels in a vented grow bag.
A sponge dabber for wax application.
Soy or Bees wax
Keep in a cool place until opening, ideally below 10° or at the back of the fridge is a great place to store. Open within 1 month of purchase.
You will need:
- A Log - up to 50cm length, and from 10cm - 20cm in diameter.
Must be fresh and felled with in the last 6-8 weeks, with no signs of damage or other fungal growth.
- A pen or tape to make a mark on your drill bit, the depth of your dowels, to ensure evenly drilled holes.
- A hammer.
- A drill with a hammer drill function - if your drill is not very powerful it may struggle to make the holes in hardwood.
- 8.5mm clean drill bit.
Once you’ve inoculated your log, it should be placed somewhere outside where it will be sheltered from harsh weathers both wind and sunshine.
Your log will enjoy being rained on regularly and needs to be located near a water source so it can be watered at least once a week. If your log dries out, the mycelium is likely to perish, and your log will not fruit.
Common questions:
What’s the best log to use? We recommend a hard wood log. You can see the list of tree in the table below.
When will my log fruit? You can expect your log to fruit 12 - 18 months following inoculation, and for 3+ years depending on the size of your log and the type of tree it is from.
If growing Shiitake mushrooms, these can be forced to fruit once it’s fully colonised, through a process called shocking. To do this drop your logs firmly but without causing damage and then soak them in cold water for 24 hours.
Can I store my log inside? You can store your log inside; it must be kept away from any heat sources and out of direct sunlight. You’ll need to still water your log regularly to prevent it from drying out, do not sit your log in water or in a damp space - this is to avoid your log rotting.
Can I grow mushrooms on my Christmas tree? Nameko mushrooms growing on fir trees can be stored under a layer of leaf mulch for the first year. They’ll fruit after a frost or snowfall, so keep an eye out for your winter harvest of mushrooms.
What mushrooms you to grow:
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Beautiful and delicious.
Their bold grey colour softens when cooked, but their rich, savoury flavour remains. Fast-growing and highly productive, perfect for beginners and confident growers alike.☆ ☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield. Thrives in warmer environments. Anticipated generous crop size. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
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Beautiful and delicious native variety.
Just as striking and flavourful as the standard grey oyster, with excellent performance in warmer growing conditions.☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield. Enjoys warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
-
Strong, deep umami flavours with stunning brown caps and pale gills.
A kitchen classic prized for its rich taste and firm texture. Shiitake mushrooms elevate everything from broths to stir-fries and roasts.☆ ☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good, steady yield. Can be forced to fruit throughout the year. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
-
Soft but dense texture with a mild, sweet flavour.
Prized for both its culinary versatility and wellbeing benefits, Lion’s Mane produces striking white, shaggy fruits that resemble a cascading mane. Perfect for slicing into “steaks,” stir-fries, or plant-based “crab” dishes.☆ ☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a steady, reliable yield. Can be forced to fruit throughout the year. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
-
Soft, cascading “mane” with mild, sweet seafood-like flavour.
This native variety offers the same culinary and wellness benefits as traditional Lion’s Mane, with a slightly slower growth habit and a connection to local ecosystems. Perfect for slicing into “steaks” or incorporating into soups and stir-fries.☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with moderate yields. Fruiting can be encouraged in different seasons with proper care. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
-
Earthy, woody flavour with beautiful natural patterning.
Best known for its medicinal properties, Turkey Tail produces vibrant, fan-shaped brackets in bands of browns, greys, and creams. Ideal for teas, tinctures, and extracts.☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with moderate yields. A slower grower, but highly rewarding. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
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Bold, meaty texture with a mild lemony note.
A true showstopper, producing bright orange and yellow clusters that pull apart just like chicken. Excellent grilled, roasted, or used in hearty dishes.☆ ☆ – More challenging to establish, but produces dramatic and generous harvests when successful. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
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Delicate, nutty flavour with a slightly gelatinous texture.
Nameko is prized in Japanese cuisine for soups, stir-fries, and miso dishes. Its small, amber-brown caps glisten when cooked, adding both flavour and a beautiful glossy appearance to meals.☆ ☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a reliable, steady yield. Fruiting throughout the year is possible under the right conditions - prefers the cold. Check the table below for the best logs to source.
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Delicate, sweet, and slightly nutty flavour with an interesting coral-like texture.
A beautiful native variety, perfect for adding visual interest to dishes or enjoying simply sautéed.☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield. Thrives in cooler environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size.
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Earthy, mild flavour with a tender, velvety texture.
This native mushroom produces striking clusters, adding both flavour and visual appeal to your culinary creations.☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield.
Enjoys warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size.
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Rich, savory flavour with asubtle tarragon notes in both aroma and taste - honestly!
A striking native variety with bold, attractive caps. Perfect for stir-fries, soups, and as a standout garnish.☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield. Thrives in warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size.
Growing your own mushroom logs at home is a brilliant way to enjoy fresh, nutritious food in a way that’s easy, accessible and deeply satisfying.
Once inoculated, mushroom logs are wonderfully low-maintenance, quietly doing their work outdoors with little more than shade and occasional watering.
They’re self-sustaining too - producing multiple harvests each year for several years - making them an incredibly rewarding, long-term food source.
To read more about how to grow and what you need to get started please see our post ‘Log growing & tree recommendations’
What mushrooms can you grow on logs…
Grey Oyster Mushroom - UK Native
Beautiful and delicious native variety.
Just as striking and flavourful as the standard grey oyster, with excellent performance in warmer growing conditions.
☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield. Enjoys warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size. See our log guide for details HERE.
Shiitake
Strong, deep umami flavours with stunning brown caps and pale gills.
A kitchen classic prized for its rich taste and firm texture. Shiitake mushrooms elevate everything from broths to stir-fries and roasts.
☆ ☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good, steady yield. Can be forced to fruit throughout the year. See our log guide for details HERE.
Lion’s Mane - UK Native
Soft, cascading “mane” with mild, sweet seafood-like flavour.
This native variety offers the same culinary and wellness benefits as traditional Lion’s Mane, with a slightly slower growth habit and a connection to local ecosystems. Perfect for slicing into “steaks” or incorporating into soups and stir-fries.
☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with moderate yields. Fruiting can be encouraged in different seasons with proper care. See our log guide for details HERE.
Turkey Tail - UK Native
Earthy, woody flavour with beautiful natural patterning.
Best known for its medicinal properties, Turkey Tail produces vibrant, fan-shaped brackets in bands of browns, greys, and creams. Ideal for teas, tinctures, and extracts.
☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with moderate yields. A slower grower, but highly rewarding. See our log guide for details HERE.
Chicken of the Woods - UK Native
Bold, meaty texture with a mild lemony note.
A true showstopper, producing bright orange and yellow clusters that pull apart just like chicken. Excellent grilled, roasted, or used in hearty dishes.
☆ ☆ – More challenging to establish, but produces dramatic and generous harvests when successful. See our log guide for details HERE.
Coral Tooth - UK Native
Delicate, sweet, and slightly nutty flavour with an interesting coral-like texture.
A beautiful native variety, perfect for adding visual interest to dishes or enjoying simply sautéed.
☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield. Thrives in cooler environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size. See our log guide for details HERE.
Gold Reishi Mushroom
Best used dried for teas, tinctures, or extracts rather than as a culinary mushroom.
A revered functional mushroom with a long history of traditional use. Reishi forms distinctive, glossy red-brown caps and is valued more for its wellness properties than its flavour.
☆ ☆ – Slower growing and more advanced. Prefers warm, humid conditions. Yields vary and patience is rewarded. See our log guide for details HERE.
Tarragon Oyster mushroom - UK Native
A rare UK found variety of oyster mushroom with a subtle tarragon aroma and flavour when cooked. Delicate and aromatic, ideal for gourmet dishes.
☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a good yield. Enjoys warmer environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size. See our log guide for details HERE.
Pale Oyster - UK Native
Delicate, mild flavour with a soft, velvety texture.
This native oyster mushroom produces cascading clusters, perfect for adding both elegance and taste to your dishes.
☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a reliable yield. Prefers warmer, humid environments. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size. See our log guide for details HERE.
Beefsteak - UK Native
Rich, meaty flavour with a firm, succulent texture.
This native mushroom forms dense, striking clusters, making it a satisfying addition to hearty meals or vegetarian dishes.
☆ ☆ – Easy to grow with a generous yield. Prefers temperate outdoor conditions. Anticipated moderate-to-good crop size. See our log guide for details HERE.
Hen of the Woods - UK Native
Best used dried for teas, tinctures, or extracts rather than as a culinary mushroom.
Earthy, robust flavour with a tender, layered texture.
This iconic native mushroom grows in dramatic, ruffled clusters, adding visual drama and umami depth to any culinary creation.
☆ ☆ – Moderate-to-easy growth with a rewarding yield. Thrives in cooler, shaded conditions. Anticipated moderate crop size. See our log guide for details HERE.
What’s inside a log kit?
Inside your kit: 30 inoculated timber dowels inside a sterilized plastic grow bag with filter patch. Along with either soy or beeswax and sponge applicator for sealing your log once drilled. Also a full set of growing instructions.
For advice on the right type of wood please see our table and information page HERE.
You can add an 8.5 mm DRILL BIT - available HERE if needed.
Using the dowel method, we deliberately introduce our mushroom mycelium into the body of freshly felled timber, making sure it stands the best chance of success.
You should expect to see your first mushrooms from 9 months to 1.5 years after your logs have been inoculated. Once fruiting, you could be harvesting fresh mushrooms for approximately 5 years. Please read more HERE.
Don’t forget, mushroom logs like to be kept moist and will need watering along with the rest of your plants throughout the year and especially throughout any dry spells. Keep your log protected from harsh winds and out of direct sunlight.
Once you’ve received your log kit…
Once delivered, your dowels will need to be used within 8 weeks of receipt. If you’re not ready to use them straight away, keep them in the fridge. It’s best to source hardwood logs that have been felled within 4-6 weeks. Make sure the edges and bark of your logs have not been compromised and are in the best condition to give your mycelium the greatest chance to get growing. Our 30 dowel kits are sufficient for a 10-18cm diameter log, approximately 50cm long. If your logs are bigger, you can order more dowels. You will need an 8 mm wood drill piece. These can be purchased separately in our shop.
Important Information
Use by date: The inoculated dowels within your kit must be used within 8 weeks from receipt.
Storage: Please keep your dowels inside their bag and refrigerated till ready to use.
PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED.
Recycling your kit: All paper and card can be recycled with your standard card recycling. The plastic bag can be cleaned and recycled with your soft plastic recycling. The sponge applicator handle can be composted or disposed of with your normal food waste. Once your logs have finished fruiting, they can be left to decompose in your garden or disposed of with your normal garden waste.
Postage & Delivery Policy
All orders will be dispatched within 24 hours, and same day if ordered before 1pm, via Yodel with a 48-hour tracked service.
All prices include delivery - excluding Highlands, Islands and Northern Island where a £3 delivery charge applies.
We ship orders using YODEL 48-hour tracked service. On the date of collection, you will receive an email from us confirming dispatch, followed by an email from YODEL with your tracking number.
If you have specific delivery preferences, such as requiring the courier to ring the doorbell or leaving your parcel in a safe place,we strongly advise that you update your delivery preferences directly with YODEL via their tracking portal to ensure they follow your instructions.
Important Notes:
While we can pass delivery preferences to the courier, we cannot guarantee their compliance.
Once an item is marked as delivered, we cannot be held liable for loss or theft if the parcel is left unattended.
Alternative Shipping:
Occasionally, we may use Royal Mail 48-hour tracked service.
Delivery Times:
Please allow 3–5 working days for delivery once you have received your dispatch email.
If your items have not arrived within 7–10 days, please contact us immediately.
Important: We are unable to track or ensure safe delivery of items after 21 days from the dispatch date. If the courier marks an item as delivered, we cannot be held responsible for loss or theft.
PLEASE ENSURE TO READ OUR DELIVERY POLICY HEREAdditional information
NB: It is not recommended to mix different strains of mushroom dowels within one log. If want to grow a variety of mushrooms, we advise allocating only one type per log.
Approx. weight: 200g Dimensions: 24.5x16.5x4cm
NB: Caley Brothers cannot take any responsibility for the aftercare of your hardwood logs once inoculated and cannot guarantee fruiting mushrooms within the noted time period due to multiple environmental factors that can influence the spawn’s success and survival.
Tree recommendations:
For other mushrooms and wood suggestions see Gourmet Woodland Mushrooms or North Spore.
Ⓒ Caley Brothers 2025