Fungi

Scotland's Wild Mushroom Code

Scotland’s wealth of woodlands and grasslands provides one of the most attractive habitats in the world for fungi. Although many fungi species still remain unstudied, of the 2,500 larger fungi known in the UK, two thirds are found in Scotland and it is estimated that there six times more fungi in the British Isles than flowering plants.

Collecting.
Increasing numbers of people are visiting the Scottish countryside to gather edible mushrooms like the chanterelle and penny bun each autumn, often inspired by cookery and travel programmes. Many pickers supply commercial businesses who sell gourmet products, while others take to the woods to pick their own for the pot. But fungi sites can be damaged by gatherers trampling them, as this collapses the air spaces in the soil and destroys mycelium – the fungal cells which thrive underground most of the year and have a symbiotic relationship with plants and trees.

Lynne Farrell, a senior botanist at Scottish Natural Heritage said: “It is great that more people are going out into the woods to pick their own mushrooms and discover these magical places, but please do remember to take care with these special organisms. Mushrooms and other fungi are some of the most ancient growth forms in nature and are fundamental to the existence of trees, plants and wildlife in general. We hope that mushroom gatherers will follow these simple rules of responsible behaviour to protect themselves from poisonous species and allow mushrooms and all that thrive on them to flourish undisturbed.”

The code

The Scottish wild mushroom code (below) urges gatherers to follow nine key rules of responsible behaviour, including avoiding trampling the area, only pick the part of the mushroom which grows above the surface, and scatter any trimmings around the site. It also covers safety issues and urges pickers on National Nature Reserves to check first with the reserve manager, since there may be conservation implications.

Sustainability

Fungi are not usually damaged through simply picking the fruit body, as this often stimulates further growth. However, if they are picked too early, before the cap has opened, or delicate cells are disturbed beneath the surface, the organism is threatened. It is also difficult to correctly identify immature specimens.

Alison Dyke facilitator of the Scottish Wild Mushroom Code, said: “Unlike mainland Europe, where mushroom picking is a well-loved family activity, there has been little tradition of this in Scotland. Slowly people are beginning to venture into the woods to gather their own, for personal or commercial use, but it is a relatively new area in terms of the access, safety and wildlife implications. The code is as much about building up an understanding between harvesters, landowners and conservation organisations and to pre-empt conflict between these different interests, as to promote sustainable harvesting and management practices.”

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The countryside is a working landscape. Please be aware of safety and follow the countryside and access codes. In accordance with these codes, and as a matter of courtesy, you are advised to ask for permission before you pick mushrooms.

By respecting the natural environment you can help to manage and conserve the countryside. When picking mushrooms for any purpose, please consider the following points:

• Wildlife, especially insects, need mushrooms too, so only pick what you will use.
• Do not pick mushrooms until the cap has opened out and leave those that are past their best.
• The main part of the mushroom is below the surface; take care not to damage or trample it and not to disturb its surroundings.
• Scatter trimmings discreetly in the same area as the mushroom came from.
• Some mushrooms are poisonous and others rare and should not be picked – only pick what you know and take a field guide with you to identify mushrooms where you find them.
• Before you collect mushrooms at a nature reserve please always seek advice from the manager, as special conditions may apply.

• Be aware that your management activities may affect mushrooms.

• Ensure the safety of your party, obtain permission in writing.
• Give a record of what you have found to the landowner or manager and explain the significance of your findings.

This code was created by: the Scottish Wild Mushroom Forum, a group consisting of representatives of conservation organisations, landowners, public land owning bodies, mushroom buyers and mushroom packers.

The creation of the Forum and the Code was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Millennium Forest for Scotland Trust and Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise.

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