Polypore Workshop

Polypore identification. 

Most polypores make for a perfect workshop in the winter since polypores are with us all season long. The great interest in polypores come from their functional or medicinal properties. Included are some of the best known of all polypores: Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail among the host of 1000s.

Polypores bring their own glossary of mushroom terminology and features to look at, much different than you find with other mushrooms. We will examine and learn the steps you need to follow when collecting and identifying polypores. While we touch on the basics of polypore identification in the Medicinal Mushroom Course this allows for a much deeper dive into the world of polypores.

The morning starts out with:

08:30 - Arrival.

09:00 – Brief introduction to tree identification – the substrate that feeds polypores.

10:00 - Understanding polypore lifestyles, habitats

11:00  - Polypore ID basics, terminology and key ID features.

12:00 – Lunch: Mushroom soup, mushroom main and a mushroom dessert.

13:00 – Two hours of foraging for polypores.

15:00 – Sorting out the finds and looking at identification features.

16:30 – How do we use and deal with what we have picked?

17:30 - Wind up, questions and back slapping…

Included: Refreshments, mushroom lunch, mushroom knowledge, dirty hands. Lunch will be gluten-free and omnivorous. If that doesn't suit you, bring your own lunch.

Winter 2025: Specific date and location to be announced.

Things to bring: Assorted clothing layers for all eventualities, hat, sun screen, bug dope, sturdy boots or shoes (we may hit some wet spots.), a good knife in a safe sheath, A loupe or magnifier if you have one, a basket or bucket, mushroom field guides (Should include Mushrooms of Western Canada). Bring any mushrooms you need help identifying.

Things to buy on site: Mushrooms of Western Canada, loupes, other field guides.