Mycelium: The Wood Wide Web
I recently read a book by German forest ranger Peter Wohlleben called The Hidden Life of Trees and was blown away by the relationship he describes between trees and mycelium. Right beneath our feet exists a system so delicate and complex it might literally stop us in our tracks if we could observe what was happening.
WHAT EXACTLY IS MYCELIUM?
Many people think of the mushroom as a fungus. In fact, mushrooms are the fruit, evidence of an enormous fungal body that exists below ground. Mycelia are tiny “threads” that intertwine with the tips of tree roots and other vegetation to form a vast underground network. This is known as the mycorrhizal network, or as Peter Wohlleben calls it, “the Wood Wide Web”.
This network can connect hundreds of trees together. Imagine a web of white threads reaching out from tree to tree, with the most connections coming from the biggest, oldest trees. The mycelium spreads throughout the forest floor, collecting water and nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen, and sends them back to the tree. All the fungus asks for in return is about 30% of the sugar the trees produce through photosynthesis. The sugars provide energy for the fungus to go out and forage more nutrients for the trees, and the cycle continues.
This network sends more than just food and water. Trees also send electrical, chemical, and hormonal signals through the mycelium. If a tree is under an insect attack it can warn its neighbors, allowing them time to set up defenses beforehand.
There is even evidence that trees recognize their offspring. Saplings that grow up in the shade can’t photosynthesize so older trees use the network to send sugars to the youngsters. Mother trees recognize their own family members and often favor them over other species. Dying trees have also been observed releasing stored nutrients back into the system, thoughtfully ensuring the survival of their neighbors.
FUZZY STUFF IN THE GARDEN
How wonderful that such a system exists! And it’s not just happening in the forest. You can find evidence of mycelium in your very own garden bed. Have you ever been digging in your garden and stumbled upon a handful of white fuzzy stuff mixed in with the soil? That’s mycelium! And it works with your garden vegetables in the same way it works with the trees. Plants can cover more ground when the mycelia attach themselves to the roots. This helps the plants increase their ability to find water and nutrients. The mycelium also enhances immune function of the plant and protect against pathogens in the soil. And just like with the trees, vegetables provide food in the form of carbon for the mycelium.
How can we support mycorrhizal fungi in our garden? There are many things a gardener can do (or not do) to encourage our fungal friends.
First off, avoid using pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides. Many studies have shown the damage these products cause to the soil and the bacterial living within it. Instead opt for an organic option that won’t wreak havoc on the environment.
Avoid tilling. Tilling disrupts the soil and can kill the mycelium in the topsoil. Compacted soil can also harm the mycelium within so take preventative measures when possible. Mulching the soil is a great way to prevent compaction. Bare ground can accelerate erosion and evaporation, leading to dry soil that is difficult for fungi to survive in. Mycelium especially enjoys feeding on wood chips, which also functions well as a mulch material. They break down the wood chips into its raw materials, returning it to the ecosystem in a form that is available for the plants and trees to use.
And there is no need to order anything online. You see, one of the coolest things about mushrooms is their spores. The spores travel on the wind, looking for a moist place to land. If your soil is healthy and plants are growing, native mycorrhizal fungi will show up too! So, skip the commercial products and instead focus on cultivating healthy soil. It will pay dividends for both you and the environment!
By Danielle Jure