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Inoculated Seedlings
Corylus colurna (Turkish Filbert or Turkish Hazel)
This species, native to Turkey and surrounding areas, is extremely resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight. Unlike the shrubbier C. avellana (European Filbert), C. colurna produces a single-stem tree with an upright, pyramidal shape. This host thrives in hot summers and cold winters. It is also extremely drought tolerant once established. USDA zones 5-7 are acceptable for this host tree.
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
This conifer in the Pine family, though not a true fir, is a unique species unto its own. The Latin name means simply “false hemlock”. The Douglas Fir is an excellent, proven host for Leucangium carthusianum (the Chartreuse or Oregon Black Truffle). This stately tree is an excellent choice for orchards in cooler climates that wish to offer another superb truffle species. However, it is not particularly drought or wind tolerant. It may also struggle in the heat of zones 8 and warmer.
Quercus ilex ssp. ilex (Holly Oak)
Quercus ilex, an evergreen oak species, is the common host tree in Spain and other truffle-producing areas. While it is happiest in Mediterranean climates, Q. ilex does remarkably well in the Southeastern United States. Cold hardiness is an issue with this species, as it will struggle in USDA zones 6 or colder; significant damage occurs from the cold in Zone 7 in some years. Surprisingly, it has been promoted and sold by our competition in areas where it simply cannot tolerate the cold temperatures. Best suited for Zones 8 and warmer.
Quercus ilex ssp. rotundifolia (Roundleaf Holly Oak)
A subspecies of Holly Oak, Q. ilex rotundifolia is a relatively unknown tree in the United States. However, it is much more cold hardy than Q. ilex ssp. ilex, which is the typical species offered in the United States. In its’ native range, it is found at higher elevations than Q. ilex ssp. ilex, and will perform far better in marginal climates. Due to the limitations of Quercus ilex ssp. ilex, we offer this highly productive truffle host to our northern customers; cold consistently damages and kills Q. ilex ssp. ilex. If you are in zone 7 or colder, insist on this subspecies if you choose to grow Quercus ilex. We cannot exaggerate the quality of this host tree!
Quercus faginea ssp. faginea (Portuguese Oak)
This Oak is another ‘go-to’ species in European truffle orchards. A deciduous species native to the Iberian Peninsula and Pyrenees, it’s also marginally more cold hardy than Q. ilex ssp. ilex and Q. ilex ssp. rotundifolia. We recommend considering this species for your plantings to increase biodiversity in your orchard. A little about biodiversity: planting a single species of tree is problematic and can facilitate the spreading of disease. Monoculture is a well-documented problem in farming, especially for orchards. While difficult to plant and manage two host genera, mitigating disease and insect pressure by opting for biodiversity are two key benefits to your truffiére. In addition to the significant profit factor, avoiding pesticide use on food crops is another major benefit to planting several host genre. This biodiversity reduces the need for pesticide use and ensures a higher degree of productivity.
Spanish WellsTM
Until recently, truffle mycology was an obscure field with much to learn. And to be fair much more needs to be learned. Inoculated trees begin their life in orchards with essentially equal positive and negative charged truffle mycelium (think male and female mycelium). For reasons not yet determined, a typical orchard will shift during the establishment years to primarily positive or primarily negative mycelium. This shift significantly reduces the fruiting productivity, and therefore the number of mature truffles. Specifically designed to re-introduce both sexes, Spanish Wells™ restore equilibrium to the mycelium and the orchard. The impact is a much more productive orchard as well as more efficient, consistent harvesting. Contact us to learn more about this exciting, innovative concept. Very limited quantities are available, please order ahead!
Digging Tools
Please inquire about digging tools and other truffle farming supplies.
Books
Truffle Framing Today, a Comprehensive World Guide, is much more than just a manual of the theory and practice of truffle farming. Intended as a fully up-to-date compendium – as it goes to press – of experiences in the truffle industry from all over the world, everything from the optimum conditions for setting up, cultivating, and managing plantations to the conclusions to draw from cutting edge scientific papers are covered and simplified. Written by Spanish truffle experts Marcos Morcillo, Xavier Vilanova, and Monica Sanchez, this guide is guaranteed to impart needed insight on planting, marketing, and management aspects of your truffière.
Editions available in English. For original Spanish print, please contact us.
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