Truffle Tree - Oak

Truffles are a kind of 'underground mushroom' that grow on the roots of certain tree species. They are highly prized by top chefs and connoisseurs for their exquisite, intense flavour and can be used to add an indulgent twist on everything from pasta and seafood to scrambled eggs.

The summer truffle (Tuber aestivum syn. uncinatum) is very similar to the winter truffle although milder in flavour, but it’s much more at home in cooler climates and in the UK has been reported to have been found as far north as Scotland!

The oak tree is a bare root of between 20-30cm and about a year old when delivered. Truffles are produced 4-7 years from planting and the trees will produce truffles for up to 50 years. 

Full planting instructions. Trees will eventually grow to a height of approximately 6m (20'), but can be kept significantly smaller with pruning. Not suitable for container growing.

Growing Information

Choosing and preparing your Planting site for truffle trees

Choosing a site:

The UK Summer Truffle’s natural habitat is shady woodland. Your tree can be grown in shady or open areas. The tree is best planted directly into the ground.

pH:

The ideal soil for your truffle-tree is well drained with a high pH. pH is a measure of acidity and can be tested with simple kits from most garden centres. The ideal pH for the UK Summer truffle is 7.3 – 7.6. If your pH is too low then it can be easily increased by applying a small amount of lime to the planting site. Garden lime is available from most garden centres and should be well raked into the area where your tree will be planted.

Planting your tree

Once your site is prepared you can and should plant your tree as soon as possible. Please follow these four steps:

1. Dig a hole at your planting site approximately the same size as the pot your tree is in.
2. Carefully remove your tree’s pot/sleeve taking care not to disturb the roots or lose any soil from the packaging.
3. Place the tree into the prepared hole so that the level of soil in the packaging is at the same height as the surrounding earth. If any soil came free when removing the tree from the pot then place it in the planting hole.
4. Gently firm the tree in and water.

Caring for your tree

Once you have planted your tree, follow these three steps to make sure your tree remains healthy:

1. Keep your tree well watered especially during the early years before the tree becomes well established.
2. Keep the area directly around your tree well weeded, especially during the early years before the tree becomes well established. This is vital for the tree to thrive and truffles to develop.
3. If you have ordered a Hazel tree then it is advisable to remove the fallen leaves in autumn as they have an acidifying effect and may reduce the pH of your soil.

When and how to look for truffles

When:

If your tree remains healthy, watered and the soil conditions are right then you may be lucky enough to find truffles in as little as 4 years from planting! However, more often trees start to produce in years 5-7. Some trees may take longer and some shorter. This is why it is normally best to have a number of trees.

Additional advisable steps:

1. If rabbits, hares or deer are present in your area then it is advisable to protect your tree with a tree guard/plastic sleeve.
2. If your tree is planted in an exposed site then it is advisable to attach the tree to a support. This stage may be beneficial in most situations.

Caring for your tree

Once you have planted your tree, follow these three steps to make sure your tree remains healthy:

1. Keep your tree well watered especially during the early years before the tree becomes well established.
2. Keep the area directly around your tree well weeded, especially during the early years before the tree becomes well established. This is vital for the tree to thrive and truffles to develop.
3. If you have ordered a Hazel tree then it is advisable to remove the fallen leaves in autumn as they have an acidifying effect and may reduce the pH of your soil.
4. Keep the pH of the soil around your tree at the required level.

When and how to look for truffles

When:

If your tree remains healthy, watered and the soil conditions are right then you may be lucky enough to find truffles in as little as 4 years from planting! However, more often trees start to produce in years 5-7. Some trees may take longer and some shorter. This is why it is normally best to have a number of trees.

The UK Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum var. uncinatum) is normally harvested from June - November.

How:

Truffles are traditionally found with the aid of an untrained pig who will naturally seek out the truffles. However, these days commercial truffle farms use trained dogs as they are less likely to eat the truffle and work quicker and usually more efficiently.

If you only have a few trees then you may be able to find truffles without a pig or trained dog!

1. If you look carefully around your trees you may notice small cracks in the ground, underneath these cracks there may lurk truffles.
2. You can look for the presence of the ‘truffle-fly’. This is a small fly that hovers directly over where truffles are buried. If you disturb the top layer of soil and look closely you may be able to see a group of tiny flies hovering over the surface. This is normally an indication that a truffle is lurking directly below.
3. Smell. Although the human nose is a pretty poor utensil in comparison to our canine friends, you may be able to use it to locate truffles. If you get on your hands and knees (ignoring any strange looks from neighbours) and sniff the ground directly you may be able to locate ripe truffles by their scent alone.
4. The final, and most destructive, method of looking for truffles is to gently scrape away the top layer of soil around your trees. This has to be done very slowly and delicately to minimise damage and ensure you locate any truffles. This technique can be used if you are desperate but is not recommended as it is so destructive.