Non-native trees are common in the rural landscape, often planted for shade or as ornamentals. However, as non-native introductions, they arrive without natural enemies to keep their populations in check and many species can spread from a few scattered trees to dense stands if not managed. In Florida, almost one-third of the plants growing wild are non-native.
The research examined utilization of non-native invasive trees to produce edible and marketable mushrooms, thereby changing unsustainable invasive non-native tree species into a sustainable and potentially profitable rural and urban small farm commodity.
Three invasive species were targeted in this study. Two species were Category I Florida invasives (tallow also classified as a state noxious weed), and the other species was a Category II Florida invasive and has poisonous fruits if ingested by humans. The invasive species were Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera), Chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach) and Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin). The native (control) species was Water oak (Quecus nigra). The edible mushroom used in the study was shiitake (Lentinula edodes).
Standard mushroom inoculation procedure was used. Inoculated logs were shaded for 7 months, allowing spawn to fully colonize the logs. Mushrooms were harvested by log, counted and weighed.
Results/Conclusions
Shiitake mushrooms were harvested from both the inoculated Chinese tallow tree logs and inoculated water oak logs. Generally, Chinese tallow logs produced shiitake mushrooms as large and larger in size and yield than those produced on the native control, water oak. Inoculated logs from the non-native invasive trees, Mimosa and Chinaberry, did not produce shiitake mushrooms. Our results determined that shiitake mushrooms could be grown on Chinese tallow logs, a non-native invasive tree species. The findings suggest that certain non-native invasive tree species could supply an optional farm commodity possibly adding value to small farm enterprises. Participating small farmers harvested and sold the shiitake mushrooms directly through farmers markets and CSA's promoting fresh local grown and sustainably grown produce. This research could provide insight into the development of an alternative sustainable management strategy for non-native invasive trees in Florida.