Hericium erinaceus grows primarily on hardwoods, though conifers can also be used with some success. Stumps or logs can be used for inoculation. The spawn plugs should be inserted into the open face of cut stumps. This eminently edible mushroom species is ideal for inoculation into logs, stumps or partially buried, vertically-oriented logs; after incubating the logs may be partially buried, vertically-oriented, to conserve water during fruiting. Hericium erinaceus is widely distributed on hardwoods—particularly oaks—across much of North America. These are beautiful mushrooms, with cascading white icicle-like spines, and are some of the best of the edible fungi.