Most cultivated mushrooms are grown on “hardwood” logs from deciduous trees. Preferred tree species in Canada are oak, maple, alder, birch, and beech. Typically the denser the wood, the longer the wait for your first crop of mushrooms, but thereafter you will enjoy crops for ~5-7 years. Fast-growing trees like poplar will produce mushrooms quickly (as soon as 6 months) but have a shorter production life (~3 years). Gourmet edible and medicinal mushrooms that can be grown on hardwoods include Pearl Oyster mushrooms, Yellow Oyster mushrooms, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail and Reishi. For advanced growers wanting a challenge, try growing Maitake and Chicken of the Woods (hardwood variety). If you have access to a log from an evergreen tree like fir, you can experiment with growing Phoenix Oyster, Bear’s Head, Hemlock Reishi and Chicken of the Woods (conifer variety). Cedar trees have strong antifungal properties and therefore are not good for mushroom growing. Fruit trees are reportedly not very productive, but you can always experiment!