Truffles- In the UK

[Mycorrhizal]

Hi,
I’ve only just registered for these forums (which by the way are great) and have just been involved in a discussion on truffles in a separately titled thread. I thought because of the interest we should start a new thread just for truffles!
First, an introduction: My name is Dr Paul Thomas and our company produces and sells DNA certified seedlings and also works with land owners to establish truffle plantations.

UK truffles: As this is a UK forum I think you may all be interested to know that the UK once had a thriving truffle industry! Natural records for the UK Summer truffle extend as far north as Darlington as well as Lothian in Scotland. Last year we filmed a couple of slots on UK truffles for a programme on Sky-One and in the next few months we may also be filming a feature for a rather popular food programme on channel 4- watch this space. Truffles were once found all over the UK and one of our primary goals is to reignite this once thriving industry. Also, if anyone thinks they may have found truffles on their land I would be happy to ID them for you and answer any question you may have.

So we know it is possible to grow truffles in the UK in a whole range of locations. So anyone with an interest in truffles, truffle growing or related topics—post here!

Paul

[Nicos]

Hi...and welcome!
Are you able to tell us a little more about the right soil/locaion to produce truffles? What sort of height is the tree going to grow to? Do the truffles grow on the tree (I always thought they were found under the soil). How long does it take to crop? Very interested!!

[Cab]

Mycorrhizal, which do you reccomend for planting in a small-ish space (I'm looking to plant in a root reatraining bag) and on high pH soil?

(oh, and check your PM's).

[Mycorrhizal]

Nicos: Truffles actually grow with the roots of the tree so they are found just under the soil surface- finding them is half the fun! Most of England has a suitable climate and the soil should ideally have a pH of around 7.3-7.9. If you are planting a few trees it’s quite easy to raise the pH with a few handfuls of lime. We have worked with one plantation where we raised the soil pH from 5.8 to 7.9. Typically the Hazel-truffle trees can take anywhere from 3-7 years to crop, I really think they are a fun thing to have in the garden. The hazel trees can be pruned to keep them quite small where as if the Oaks, if cared for, can grow really very large!

Cab: I would recommend planting the Hazel truffle-trees if you would like to grow them in containers. And yes, the pH should be high! Ideally 7.3-7.9. Are you planning on growing them on a patio?

Cheers,

Paul

[Cab]

Cab: I would recommend planting the Hazel truffle-trees if you would like to grow them in containers. And yes, the pH should be high! Ideally 7.3-7.9. Are you planning on growing them on a patio?

I've got a nasty bit in front of the house full of gnarled old laurels. Really hateful bushes that I want rid of. I've been thinking of having them out and putting hazels inoculated with truffles in there, but because its close to the house I either have to get them in a root restraining thingy (big tough bag thing, if I can get one) or keep them cut well back in the hope that stops the roots. And if its hazel, presumably I can also coppice it.

[Jaxom]

Hi Paul. This is wonderful a bit like the old us joke no fungi expert and then in two days we have two come along all at once.
I know so little about truffles and fungi in general. If it was left to me I would poison everyone in the first breakfast I cooked.
Perhaps you and Dick could bring us all up to speed on the joys of mushrooms.
Jax

[Mycorrhizal]

Cab: Yes- You can certainly coppice it…. In fact, regular pruning often leads to larger yields. In terms of root restraint just make sure the roots have as much surface area as possible- after all this is where you will find the truffles!

Jaxom: Yeah, I read the other thread but for some reason I can’t seem to post in it (?). Although truffles are my absolute favourite, pretty much all fungi fascinate me and I tend to spend a lot of weekends hunting for chanterelles or ceps. If you’ve never tried truffles I seriously recommend buying some oil, or better yet fresh truffles, the taste is indescribable…

Cheers,

Paul

[nick the grief]

Not mushroom for laurel eh Cab. Sorry but someone had to crack it!

If you do copice it you'll never have to buy pea sticks again & there arer some interesting sites on making mini wattle hurdles that would be really decorative in the garden. I'll find the URL for you (I think it was a lottie site in cambridge, a google on Forest allotments might find them)

[Cab]

This is going to sound like heresy... But although I like truffles (and I've spend a whole day chasing squirels for them - don't ask) I wouldn't say that they're my favourite mushtrooms. For me, it takes a lot to beat St. Georges mushrooms.

[Mycorrhizal]

I know you said don’t ask, but I would love to hear the squirrel story!!!

As for St. Georges mushroom, they are good and the season is not to far away but personally I prefer truffles, then bay-boletus, then other ceps, then chanterelles, then Giant puffballs!

Now what’s the story with the squirrels?

Cheers,

Paul

[Nicos]

Our allotment is peat based with a pH varying from 3-7 !! All measurements varying depending on the watertable. So it looks like we would need to grow a tree in our smallish garden. Our problem is that we have hundreds of squirrels. As they munch most things in their path, are they going to be digging up the truffles too?? If they have a particular liking for them, then I think we would be mad to try and grow them! Would also like to know your squirrel story for that reason.

[nick the grief]

Fatal saying Don't ask isn't it

[Jaxom]

I was given some Black Truffles for my birthday one year and I have to say I found them hard and tasteless. Perhaps they were fake and made from wood.
Nutmeg used to be faked years ago. It seems as though there was quite an industry in carving fake nutmegs out off wood and turning huge profits.
Jax

[Lesley Jay]

Maybe they were old Jaxom. I am not an expert at all but I think you need to use them within 7 days from being dug up. Maybe Paul will be able to tell us how long they last.

[Mycorrhizal]

Hey all,

Nicos: Unfortunately, squirrels have been known to munch the odd truffle! However, I don’t think this a strong reason not to grow them- they are pretty unlikely to eat all your truffles, and you could always protect the ground with chicken wire- although I’m sure this wouldn’t be necessary!!

Jaxom: That’s a shame. The first fresh truffle I had filled my whole house with its scent. In fact I left it overnight on the shelf of the fridge (big mistake) and everything took on a truffle scent, which was great for the eggs but truffle orange juice is not something I would like to drink a lot of! – I think you must have had an old truffle.

Lesley: Yep, your completely right. Fresh truffles really needs to be used within 7-10 days of being harvested. When they are left they can go woody and completely loose their amazing scent.

I think if you’ve never tried truffle then a good introduction is to try some of the truffle-infused olive-oil and drizzle it on mashed potatoe or scrambled eggs mmmmmmmmmmm

Cheers,

Paul