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Tombigbee NF Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Tombigbee NF

300–700 ft · MS🚗 Directions

Good

Tombigbee NF in northeast MS — Choctaw and Ackerman ranger districts across rolling oak-hickory and shortleaf pine uplands. Davis Lake, Choctaw Lake, and Natchez Trace corridor for access. Spring morels in tulip poplar flats and dying elm bottoms; chanterelles and chicken-of-the-woods in summer oak woodlands. Similar habitat to Bankhead but without the sandstone gorges.

Trees:White Oak Shortleaf Pine Hickory

Updated Oct 11, 5:14 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Tombigbee NF at 300-700 ft grades Good for fruiting. Soil is holding at 65.1°F, with all 7 of the last 7 days above threshold, and the moisture trigger is met with VWC at 0.24 today against a 0.17 seven-day average. Moisture is the limiting factor: only 0.01" has fallen in 14 days, so the soil water reading is carrying the grade and surface-level moisture is thin. Drought status is none, and snow plays no role at this elevation. The model flags nearly every species as viable, but at these elevations in the Gulf Coastal Plain, the realistic targets are chanterelles (including smooth), oysters, chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, black trumpets, honey mushrooms, lion's mane, and jack-o-lanterns on hardwood and buried wood. Wood-decomposers like polypores, turkey tail, and conks will hold up best in the dry spell, while ground-dwelling mycorrhizal species like chanterelles and waxcaps are most exposed to the moisture shortfall. Note that Death Cap, Green-Gill Lepiota, and Jack-o-Lantern are flagged alongside the edibles; the model doesn't separate them by value, so ID discipline is on you. Watch the forecast: a soaking rain in the next few days would push this toward Excellent, while continued dryness will erode the soil moisture buffer and flush the surface species out of production. Hot tip: Hunt north-facing drainage bottoms and creek margins under mature hardwoods, where the duff holds moisture longest, and prioritize wood-based species on standing and downed oak.

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 Potential80/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

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Nearby Camping

Within(0)

No campgrounds within 10 mi. Try widening the radius.

⚠ 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 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

ChanterelleCantharellus cibarius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Golden TeacherPsilocybe cubensis

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 65°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.17)

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.