Wisconsin Truffles

[james81]

Wisconsin White Truffles / Tuber Gibbosum

A few years ago, in the spring time of the year, I was digging at the base of a silver maple tree when I unearthed what I thought was a very unusual white rock. However after picking it up, breaking it in half and smelling it I discovered it was really a mushroom! Truffles came to my mind almost instantly and I ran inside to do some research. Truffles in Wisconsin? Could it be true??

(QUOTE)
“We have found truffles (genus Tuber) and false truffles (genus Elaphomyces) in Wisconsin on several Wisconsin Mycological Society forays.”
(END QUOTE)
Source: botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/jan97.html

From the photos I seen and articles I read I was positive that’s what I had. I tried calling the local mushroom farm to see if they would purchase them. As I had found a little over 2 pounds, a few of them being slightly larger than a golf ball, but the mushroom farm would not take them because of the fact they were not heard of, or at least not like other mushrooms. They directed me to email some of the mycologists in Wisconsin to make sure that’s what I had. After sending my story off to a few of them, I received some replies, and they all seemed to agree that they very well could be truffles, but that a positive ID couldn’t be made without them being able to have more information/access to them. The main person of contact was Britt Bunyard of www.fungimag.com which to this day I still subscribe! Britt let me know that Midwestern truffles aren’t really known to be of quality in general, which was a letdown as I thought maybe I had some white gold. Britt suggested that I could try them myself if I felt brave. I was certain I had the real deal, so I did try them, grated over my steaks, a very outstanding taste I thought even if they were premature. I haven’t tried digging in that spot since then, as I’ve read it takes years for the fungi to develop, and I fear I may have over-harvested when I came across them the first time.
Being a little over 3 years since I first found them, I’m going to make the second dig this June to look and see what I can find. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and will share my findings here first with all of you. Photos and information only, the fruits are mine!!! LoL ;D


Associated Tree: Silver Maple
Found: At tree base in the ground around the roots
Depth: Between 12 and 16 inches

So out of curiosity has anyone else come across these Wisconsin truffles besides me?

[omth]

Sounds awesome! Thanks for the great pics!

[CP Dan]

Wow, that's pretty cool! Now, it would be nice if there was actually a way to identify where they are growing. I don't think it would be a good idea to go around and dig up all the silver maple trees in the area. I suppose I can buy a pig......my neighbors would love that.

What were you looking for when you found them? Seems odd to just be out digging 12 inches down around trees.

[james81]

I heard dogs can sniff them out as well, but I am not sure how you would train a dog to do so. We have a couple other silver maples in our yard and tried digging around one of the other trees that was close by without any luck... I'm going try digging around some of the other ones this year.

We were digging out the ground a little to plant some flowers when we came across them. Obviously after finding the truffles we decided not to plant anything there. It was mid April when this happened, a week or two before the first morels were going to start, so it got the mushroom fever going early that year.
Without a pig or dog to aid in finding them, I guess it is a bit like playing the lottery, lol.

[omth]

The first year I had Finn I got him into sitting when he got close to a morel, worked as he found the last two of the year for me... but I did not continue this training and now he ignores them. I imagine the same would go with truffels.