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Bankhead NF Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Bankhead NF

Excellent

William B. Bankhead NF in north-central AL — mixed mesophytic forest with massive tulip poplar, beech, and white oak in deep sandstone gorges (Sipsey Wilderness). Best spring morel habitat in AL and excellent late-summer chanterelle grounds.

Trees:Tulip Poplar White Oak American Beech

Updated Oct 11, 5:12 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Bankhead NF at 600–1,100 ft is Excellent right now: soil sits at 63°F, held above threshold all 7 of the last 7 days, and the moisture trigger is met with no drought and no snow influence (SWE 0%, melt complete). Soil moisture is the real story. Today's 0.34 VWC against a 7-day average of 0.20 means the profile is wetted and holding, even though surface precip has been just 0.02" over 14 days, so the flush is running on stored moisture. Nearly every species in the model is rated high, with the main targets being chanterelles, hen of the woods, chicken of the woods, black trumpets, hedgehogs, lion's mane, oysters, honeys, and blewits. Wood-rotters and mycorrhizal species alike are in range, which means hardwood stands, deadfall, and stump bases should all be producing. The one soft spot is the 65°F-minimum group, which is marginal at 63°F, so don't count on warm-season specialties. There are no limiting factors, but with almost no rain in two weeks, the thing to watch is surface drying: if the dry stretch continues, the flush will taper from exposed, sun-facing ground first while shaded, moisture-retaining sites keep producing. Hot tip: Prioritize north-facing hollows and drainage bottoms with thick duff and mature hardwoods, where stored moisture lasts longest, and hit them now before the dry surface conditions start shutting down the exposed ground.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential95/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(5)

McDougle Camp

developed

USFS~2.9 mi from center

water

Reserve →

Claymore Camp #1

developed

~3.8 mi from center

Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

developed

USFS~5.1 mi from center

water

Reserve →

Brushy Lake Recreation Area

developed

USFS~8.3 mi from centerFee required/night

National Forests in Alabama

Reserve →

Brushy Lake Recreational Area Campground

developed

USFS~8.3 mi from centerFee required/night

13 sites

water

Reserve →

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

ChanterelleCantharellus cibarius

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

BlewitLepista nuda

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elfin SaddleHelvella crispa

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Golden TeacherPsilocybe cubensis

soil temp marginal (63°F vs 65°F min, 6/7 days above), today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Blue MeaniesPanaeolus cyanescens

soil temp marginal (63°F vs 65°F min, 6/7 days above), today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 63°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.34 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.

Bankhead NF

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

McDougle Camp

Claymore Camp #1

Wolf Pen Hunters Camp

Brushy Lake Recreation Area

Brushy Lake Recreational Area Campground

Conditions History

Viable Species