Cultivating Mushrooms in Natural Logs Select healthy trees with medium-thick bark.
Oaks are best, but hornbeam, ironwood, hard maple, and sweet gum work well.
Fir, pine, cedar and other softwoods are not suitable. Cut your logs in the Fall, Winter or Spring. Firewood cutters or farmers can be good sources for logs. It's important not to damage the bark in any way. Inoculate the logs as soon as possible after cutting.