Visitors to Epping Forest have been handed a three-word plea as fungi-related content continues to surge in popularity online. The City of London Corporation, which manages the forest, has urged the public to leave wild mushrooms alone, warning that picking fungi is banned under the forest's bylaws.
Early emergence of species
The ancient woodland stretches 13 miles in length, from Manor Park in East London to Epping in Essex. The City of London Corporation says recent warm weather has already led to the early emergence of some species, including Laetiporus sulphureus, commonly known as "Chicken of the Woods."
The corporation is urging the public to help protect the area's fungi by taking photographs rather than collecting any mushrooms. In a three-word plea, the charity said: "Our message is simple: click, don't pick."
Influencers and rare species
Caroline Haines, chair of the City Corporation's Epping Forest and Commons Committee, added: "Many influencers and visitors may not realise that picking fungi is not permitted in the forest, but posts showing mushrooms being collected can encourage others to follow suit."
"We want everyone to enjoy the forest and experience its remarkable wildlife."
The City Corporation noted that its open spaces have been the site of several notable fungi discoveries in recent years.
Protected landscape and discoveries
Epping Forest spans around 6,000 acres and is home to approximately 55,000 ancient pollarded trees. As a protected landscape, it is nationally recognised for its exceptional fungal diversity, supporting more than 1,500 species, including hundreds of rare and endangered fungi that depend on deadwood habitats.
In 2024, scientists discovered Hydropus inopinatus, a mushroom species new to science, at Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire. The following year, Epping Forest, which is the largest open space in London, recorded the UK's first confirmed sighting of the rare fungus Russula blumiana.
