Cut or pick when foraging?

[Bill S]

Hi all

Some recent images here and a bumper find of Boletus edulis had me questioning whether to pick or cut when foraging. I know the River Cottage Handbook says that there is no conservational difference between the two but I wondered what others do and why, when collecting a species which is known and the base is not required for ID purposes?

Many thanks in advance,

Cheers

Bill

[NickCantle]

I always carefully pick them, making sure to pop them off at the base. It's just the way I've always done it, and I'm sure it does no harm. It's only the fruiting body you're picking. I'm sure if you picked something badly, as in dug deep and yanked them up, then there's probably more chance of you damaging mycelium.

Plus, I've been to my B. edulis spots to find the stipes of thick, healthy specimens left in the ground. It's quite annoying!

[flaxton]

I think the contra arguments go that if you pick you damage the mycelium more but if you cut it leaves a stump to rot and this might cause more problems. So take your pick.

Mal

[benjiani]

I usually just twist and pluck the fungus out of the ground and liken it to picking an apple from a tree. I have always convinced myself (rightly or wrongly) that this does no lasting damage to the mycelium.

Having done a short course with a man who undoubtedly knows his stuff, it was encouraging to note how nonchalant he was when it came to the pick/cut debate and thought that either way was acceptable, but picking the whole fruit body out of the ground was preferable as it allowed for more detailed examination and accurate identification.

Horses for courses.