Autumn 2025 – Why so many fungi this year?
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This October has been very productive in terms of fungi and mushrooms; I wonder what accounts for this? Not only has the number of fungi been abundant, but the season has also been extended, having started early around July and continuing into November.
Broadly speaking, weather influences are behind this, and general changes in the climate. In order to fruit, that is to produce the visible mushrooms, a series of things must happen.
First, a relatively warm and dry spring so that the mycelium can grow and strengthen by gathering nutrients from the soil, and such a period occurred last spring.
Then, some kind of shock is needed to encourage the mycelium to produce the mushrooms, usually a change in the environment such as cooling and increased moisture, and such periods occurred from late spring through the summer, making the mycelium think that winter is coming. So the fungi fruit through the summer.
Third, the autumn so far has been milder than usual and, in general, frost and the first ice normally put a stop to fruiting, but so far this has not happened and the mushrooms continue to appear.
Additionally, another phenomenon has occurred this year in the natural world, namely a “Mast” year. These are occasional but regular years when the trees produce a large number of nuts and seeds as a way of ensuring the survival of the next generation.
There is some evidence that the relationship between the mycelium and the tree roots increases during these years, which likely provides more nutrients to the trees for producing nuts and fruits.
Nature is amazing!!