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Cumberland Plateau Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Cumberland Plateau

1,000–3,500 ft · TN🚗 Directions

Excellent

Cumberland Plateau and adjacent Cumberland Mountains in east-central Tennessee. Oak-hickory plateau forests with tulip poplar, ash, and elm in ravines and stream corridors. Numerous state parks and WMAs provide access. Old farmstead sites and orchard remnants dot the plateau. Slightly earlier season than the higher Smokies. Big South Fork area is productive.

Trees:White Oak Hickory Tulip Poplar

Updated Oct 11, 5:10 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

The Cumberland Plateau earns an Excellent grade today. Soil is at 61.2°F, drought is nil, and moisture is sustained: 1.12" over the last 7 days, with VWC at 0.31 today against a 7-day average of 0.24. The moisture trigger is met and nothing is limiting, so nearly the whole species list is rated high. For the choice edibles, that means Hen of the Woods, Chicken of the Woods, Lion's Mane, Bear's Head Tooth, Honey Mushroom, Hedgehog, Smooth Chanterelle, Oak Milk Cap, and Wine Cap. Black Trumpet is the one moderate call, since soil sits at 61°F against its 62°F minimum and only 3 of 7 days cleared the threshold. Expect it to be patchy and concentrated on the warmer, lower-elevation slopes. Watch the soil temperature over the next several days: a cool night or two will push Black Trumpet out, while a warm-up will bring it in. Another good soaking would extend this window, but the current moisture base should carry the flush on its own for now. Hot tip: Hunt the lower-elevation oak and hardwood stands near the 1,000 ft end of the range first. They hold the most soil heat for Black Trumpet, and they're also prime for Hen of the Woods at the base of mature oaks and for the Honey Mushroom flushes on stumps.

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(6)

Black Mountain Campsite

backcountry

~3.1 mi from center

Crossville Koa

developed

~5.6 mi from center

Pond Cove Creek Campsite

backcountry

~5.9 mi from center

Camp Ozone

developed

~8 mi from center

Meadow Park Lake Campground

developed

City of Crossville~8.9 mi from centerFee required/night

waterelectric hookup

Stinging Fork Falls Campsite

backcountry

~9.1 mi from center

⚠ 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

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (61°F vs 62°F min, 3/7 days above), today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Banded MottlegillPanaeolus cinctulus

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 61°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.31 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — 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.