Using natural logs to cultivate Oyster mushrooms provides the most natural (and semi-sterile) growing medium. Oysters can be grown on many hardwood species, including the preferred species cottonwood, poplar spp., sweetgum, tulip poplar, and soft maple. 

In all cases start with logs cut from healthy, live trees. Inoculate as soon after cutting as possible. The inoculation information presented in our manual "Growing Shiitake Mushrooms in a Continental Climate" is transferable to Oyster cultivation. Mushrooms can appear anywhere on the log between 3-12 months after inoculation.