Veiko Kastanje, a researcher at the Estonian Crop Research Institute, says that in addition to earlier mushroom species, there are more autumn mushrooms in the forests. Mycologist Leho Tedersoo adds that there are more chanterelles and porcini mushrooms than average in the forests.
Tedersoo considers this abundance of mushrooms to be exceptional. Usually, there are not so many mushrooms in early and mid-July. But this year, the first half of the summer has been very rich in mushrooms.
Veiko Kastanje finds it special that autumn mushrooms are being found in the forest. Usually, they are not encountered in the first half of July. For example, there are more suillus bovinus than usual.
Tedersoo says that mushrooms in Southern Estonia are mostly earlier. According to Kastanje, mushroom areas depend largely on moisture. In recent years, Southern and Western Estonian forests have received more rainfall than Northern Estonia.
Currently, there is enough rain in Northern Estonia and the islands. In Southern Estonia, it is even raining a bit more than necessary.
Tedersoo says that the recent heavy rains may cause problems in the autumn. In wet forests, trees may struggle to grow, and the lack of oxygen in the soil may hinder mushroom growth.
He believes this will not affect mushrooms that have not yet started to fruit. However, there may not be as many chanterelles in the autumn. This year, the early fruiting of mushrooms is exceptional.