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Using Native fungi Inoculation to kill Invasive tree of heaven #913854

Asked August 13, 2025, 10:31 AM EDT

I recently stumbled upon someone using oyster mushroom plugs to inoculate and eventually kill TOH. Then I saw that oyster mushrooms are not native and I am trying to create a native ecosystem around my vegetable garden but primarily so that I can build up a pollinator area and support the local ecology. Are there mushroom species that would be safe to test this out with? I am in New England.

Hillsborough County New Hampshire

Expert Response

Hello Jennifer, 

Thanks for reaching out to the UNH Extension Yard and Garden Infoline. 

I have to admit that I had not heard of the this method of control before for tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). 

While most oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) are not native to North America, the aspen oyster (Pleurotus populinus) is originally from North America so you might want to choose this species in particular. It often fruits in spring or early summer before many other oyster mushroom species. 

I found this report from SARE that might be interesting-

https://projects.sare.org/project-reports/fnc07-670/


Please keep us updated as to how successful this is if you decide to move forward with it! 

Thank you for contacting the Infoline, a service of UNH Cooperative Extension Replied August 14, 2025, 3:10 PM EDT

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