Why does chaga grow on birch trees?

When harvesting Chaga, only the sterile conk needs to be collected. Remember that host trees are living beings and Chaga is a finite resource, therefore, it should be harvested in a careful, sustainable manner. Chaga grows in all shapes & sizes on the outside of the birch trees it infects. read more

A birch tree does not have to be dying to be parasitized by chaga fungus (Inonotus obliquus), but it needs some damage or wound in the bark so that the fungus spores can get into the moist interior of the tree. read more

The Chaga Mushroom grows almost exclusively on birch trees. Several external pieces of chaga can often be found on just one birch tree. When harvesting chaga, collect only the external pieces and never cut into the tree. read more

A: Wild birch trees grow in northern climates, north of the 45th parallel where they have to endure challenging weather conditions. From the hot summers to the extreme cold winters, wild birch trees need the most powerful of nutrients to withstand the tolling enviroment. read more