Chaga cultivation research
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic fungus, commonly found growing on Birch trees in the circumboreal world. It lives inside the host tree for many years, periodicallya producing asexual ‘conks’ - black charcoal like protrusions - that have been harvested as a traditional medicine for centuries.
Today it is widely regarded as one of the most powerful medicinal fungi for promoting wellbeing, and supporting healthy immune function in particular.
Rhyze have been working with and researching Chaga since 2024, helping us better understand how this amazing fungus could play a part in building more resilient and healthy communities in Scotland.
Read the report:
The case for Responsible Chaga Cultivation in Scotland
A new frontier in mycoforestry is opening up around the world as Chaga is cultivated on living Birch trees, in open woodland - but is this form of mycoforestry responsible? Could it play a role in supporting the development of sustainable land management strategies in Scotland?
Download the report below.
Fill out our form to keep in touch and register interest in the project!
We are looking for folk to participante in focus groups about Chaga cultivation, folk with woodland interested in hosting monitoring projects and community groups or individuals interested in getting spawn for cultivation.
Our Chaga cultivation research has been enabled by two Research & Innovation grants received from Future Woodlands Scotland in 2024 and 2025. You can read more about their work and the research they fund here.
