This tract of private property is a great place for edible and medicinal wild plants and mushrooms of autumn.

This property has lots of different habitats, which means all kinds of wild plants. Near the parking area we'll find herbs and greens such as foxtail grass, mullein, lamb's-quarters, yarrow, northern bayberry, and mugwort. There may also be root vegetables such as wild carrots and common evening primrose nearby.

Deeper in the woods, we'll find herbs such as sassafras and black birch, and there will be plenty of delectible shagbark hickory nuts to gather.

The first black walnuts will be pummeling the earth, but the highlight of the tour will be the gourmet wild mushrooms. Some of the prized species the group may encounter include honey mushrooms, chicken mushrooms, hen-of-the-woods (maitake), pear-shaped puffballs, and oyster mushrooms.

And down the road from the private woodlands, we'll find so many gourmet wild leeks (ramps) bulbs that the group will be forced to disperse due to intolerable bad breath! Try using them to make Vegetarian Scrambled Eggs.