I have found chicken of the woods mushrooms growing on or near oak trees on my land in summer. This year I found a nice one in July. I was checking out some clearing that the township had done recently along a road that is on the West end of my land. It has an exposure for about 50 yards onto my prairie. The growth on the township side of my fence was thick enough to keep shiners from being able to see my prairie. There was a lot of brush and taller trees that were left by the township so I am probably okay with the screen it provides. I was driving very slowly pretending I was a shiner looking for any gaps when I saw a glorious sight. There at the very South end of my property, almost by the corner marker were two large chicken mushrooms. One was about 5-6 pounds and the smaller 3-4 pounds. What a lucky haul!
I have never seen these mushrooms this late in the season, after Labor day. I can only attribute the monsoon season rains that my farm has had in the last two weeks as the factor for their late growth. Both mushrooms were in perfect shape. I kept the smaller one and gave the larger one to my helper. He was grateful for the gift. Going to clean and cook it this afternoon.
I have never seen these mushrooms this late in the season, after Labor day. I can only attribute the monsoon season rains that my farm has had in the last two weeks as the factor for their late growth. Both mushrooms were in perfect shape. I kept the smaller one and gave the larger one to my helper. He was grateful for the gift. Going to clean and cook it this afternoon.