Week of October 18, 2026 – October 24, 2026
by Amelia Gross, Environmental Educator
When you walk through the same forest enough, you start to recognize different landmarks. The curve of the valley, the fallen tree that leans over the Harrison Trail, or the patch of pines deep in the woods. There are mighty oaks and birches that have been here for years, and thanks to our stewardship and volunteer team are not going anywhere any time soon. With enough time on the trails, you might fool yourself into thinking that you know all the life in the woods.
But, the fungi of the forest are here to remind you that there is always something new to see, even within one week. Especially during a rainy stretch of fall, one trail can show you entirely different things on a Monday than a Friday. Many mushrooms in the woods seem to pop up overnight, and disappear just as quickly. But if we dig deeper into this fascinating quality, we will find something even more interesting.
It is not that a mushroom has appeared out of thin air, but rather that mushrooms are just one small part of a larger organism. Underground is where most of the fungus lives. The mycelium is the body of a fungus, made up of connected root-like filaments called hyphae that are far thinner than a strand of hair. A mushroom emerges from the greater fungi body simply as a means to spread spores and reproduce, akin to an apple on a larger tree.
However, comparing fungi too closely to a plant would be another misconception, but not an uncommon one. It wasn’t until the 1970s that fungi were declared their own independent kingdom that is actually closer to animals than plants. Unlike plants, fungi do not photosynthesize to make their own food, but must find it, like us. Our food sources, however, are one of the many ways we differ, as fungi have a very unique job in the ecosystem.
Fungi are crucial decomposers that break down dead organic matter, preventing our serene forest from becoming overrun by decaying leaves, logs, and animals. In contrast to the shorter lived, overnight sensation type of mushrooms, you might even notice the same shelf fungus decomposing the same log for years, or even decades. Many fungi are also connected to trees through their underground networks and provide them with valuable nutrients. Even if we don’t always see or notice fungi, our beloved forest ecosystems would collapse without them.
As you continue to enjoy fall, take a closer look at the seemingly small mushrooms and in time you can familiarize yourself with them too. We can find patterns in the intricate gills, the turkey tails growing on logs, and where puffballs tend to pop up. There is always more to see.