What Trees Does Chicken of the Woods Grow On?

Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is a unique edible mushroom that grows on the trunks and roots of certain trees. Its bright orange coloration and overlapping cap-like appearance resembles the flesh of a chicken, hence its common name. Chicken of the woods is found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, growing on both conifers and hardwoods. But what are the most common trees this mushroom grows on?

Oak Trees

Chicken of the woods has a strong preference for oak trees (Quercus spp.). This fungus causes a brown rot in the heartwood of oak trees, eventually hollowing them out. It is most frequently found growing on the trunks of:

• White oak (Quercus alba)
• Red oak (Quercus rubra)
• Black oak (Quercus velutina)
• Chestnut oak (Quercus montana)

The best place for chicken of the woods to grow is near oak trees. Fungus can quickly break down the dead inner wood because of the tannins and sugars in oak heartwood. The fungus chicken of the woods breaks down lignin and cellulose, which turns the wood into cube-shaped pieces.

Other Hardwoods

While oak trees are the prime host, chicken of the woods can grow on other hardwoods as well:

• Cherry (Prunus spp.)
• Willow (Salix spp.)
• Chestnut (Castanea spp.)
• Beech (Fagus spp.)
• Birch (Betula spp.)
• Ash (Fraxinus spp.)
• Apple (Malus spp.)

The fungus sometimes shows up at the base of these trees, but most of the time it’s higher up on damaged parts of the trunk and branches. It exploits wounds and decay already present in the heartwood. Hardwoods other than oak will get the common brown cubical rot when they get it.

Conifers

Chicken of the woods doesn’t happen as often on conifer trees, but it can happen. The fungus doesn’t like softwoods like pine and hemlock because they don’t break down easily. However, it has been observed growing on:

• Larch (Larix spp.)
• Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
• Spruce (Picea spp.)
• Fir (Abies spp.)

When growing on conifers the fungus causes a stringy white rot rather than brown cubical rot. The decay breaks down the tracheid cells that make up most of the wood. Chicken of the woods is more frequently found on dead conifers rather than living trees.

Dangerous Trees to Avoid

Two tree species should always be avoided when foraging for chicken of the woods

• Yew (Taxus spp.) – Yew trees contain toxic compounds called taxines that can be deadly if consumed. There is controversy whether chicken of the woods absorbs these toxins when growing on yew. It is better to be safe than sorry and not eat this mushroom from yew trees.

• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp. Some people have been poisoned by the volatile oils and phenolic compounds in eucalyptus when they eat chicken of the woods that grows on these trees. It is recommended to avoid foraging this fungus from eucalyptus.

Ideal Conditions for Growth

Chicken of the woods thrives in temperate forests where oak trees are present. It particularly flourishes in warmer regions with high humidity. The fungus emerges in late spring and peaks in the summer and early fall when conditions are ideal. Chicken of the woods prefers hardwood forests, orchards, and urban areas where suitable host trees grow. It can colonize living, weakened, or dead trees.

Recognizing Chicken of the Woods

When foraging, it is critical to accurately identify chicken of the woods based on its distinct characteristics:

• Grows in shelf-like caps that overlay each other on tree trunks

• Bright orange to yellow color, sometimes with saturated red banding

• White underside with very small pores rather than gills

• Texture ranges from leathery to soft and velvety

• Fresh mushrooms smell fruity; older specimens have a sour odor

Proper identification ensures you are harvesting the edible fungus and avoiding potentially toxic lookalikes. Always exercise caution when foraging for any wild mushrooms.