PROCESS & Services

Ways We work

saffron milk cap cultivationview of saffron milk cap mycorrhiza

Research

  • Optimal truffle and mushroom farming methods: seedling production and planting, weed and water management, harvest methods and improved yields
  • Investigations of cultivating new species: Italian White Truffles (Tuber magnatum), Porcini (Boletus edulis), Matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake), Morels (Morchella spp.)
  • International collaboration: I have been working in China since 2015 to develop the cultivation of several species and strains of milk caps, (e. g. Lactarius     deliciosus, as well as Lactarius hatsudake and Lactarius vividus, native to China). Likewise, I have conducted trials with several truffle species, native and exotic (e. g. T. melanosporum, T.     indicum, T. pseudohimalayense and T. panzhihuanense) which are associated     with trees native to China and elsewhere. I also contributed to describing a new species of edible bolete living in a three-way association with     insects and tree roots (i. e. Phlebopus roseus).

Training

  • Truffle or mushroom farming (the cultivation of edible mycorrhizal fungi in New Zealand)
  • Biology, life cycle and ecology of truffles and mushrooms
  • Truffle and mushroom quality
  • Cuisine and recipes
  • Seminars on all varieties of wild and cultivated edible fungi, mycorrhizal or saprobic

Monitoring

Seedling Quality Control

Independent assessment of seedlings potentially mycorrhized by any of the species mentioned below to certify that they are suitable for establishment of edible mushroom and truffle orchards.

More Information Here

Mycorrhiza Persistence and Development

Evaluating desired truffle and mushroom species in your orchard by analysing mycorrhizae in root samples from your trees. Species include:

  • Périgord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum)
  • Bianchetto truffle (Tuber borchii)
  • Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum)
  • Winter truffle (Tuber brumale)
  • Saffron milk cap (Lactarius deliciosus)
  • Shoro (Rhizopogon rubescens)

View Sampling Guidelines

Support

  • Seedling production
  • Advising existing growers on tree orchard management. Advising prospecting growers who plan to set up a truffière (French for truffle orchard) or a mushroom orchard
  • Advising tree nurseries
  • Identifying truffle and mushroom species
  • Assessing the quality of fungi purchased as either inoculum or food

Showcase

My Truffle Projects

Cultivated Saffron Milk Cap
Monitoring of truffle trees -
Black truffle on English Oak -
‍Tuber melanosporum
Identification and quality of edible fungi -
Black truffle spores
Cultivated borchii truffle Canterbury
Cultivated saffron milk cap - Lactarius deliciosus
Characteristic cap of Lactarius deliciosus
Monitoring of truffle trees - clusters of black truffle mycorrhizae
Identification and quality of edible fungi - Tuber borchii

About

Professional Mycologist

If you love truffles and forest mushrooms or if you are a truffle grower, nurseryman, landowner or investor, Mycotree is for you!

If you love nature, sustainable farming systems, agroforestry and edible forests, if you want to contribute to soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, if you agree to increase the source of non-meat proteins, Mycotree is for you!

If you enjoy a pleasurable, diverse and healthy diet, edible fungi are just waiting for you to grow them!  Whether you produce mycorrhizal seedlings or consider planting trees, I can provide the exact advice you require.

Partnership with Southern Woods Nursery
‍Southern Woods Nursery partners with Mycotree to certify their production of truffle inoculated seedlings. Currently, Southern Woods Nursery also provides Mycotree with an administrative office and research room at their Christchurch location.
‍

More about my background‍

Let me apply my 25 years of experience as an academic in edible mycorrhizal fungi biology and cultivation to help you succeed!

View my Bio & publications

Below is a documentary on saffron milk cap cultivation and gastronomy in NZ presented at Soria Gastronomica in Spain on 5 Oct 2020

View Documentary

latest projects

Discover my work

Testimonials

What they Say?

Alexis has been an absolute delight to work with in establishing our truffiere. His passion for edible mycorrhizae combined with his excellent published research provides a unique and credible perspective for anyone in the NZ truffle industry. His objective analysis of our land and trees have been invaluable and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the near future.

Stephen and Caroline

www.mayfairpools.co.nz

We found Alexis very professional and extremely easy to work with. Alexis involvement was extremely important in the whole process. The seedlings must be bought from a reputable supplier with a proven track record. We highly recommend Alexis for his professionalism and anyone needing to engage his services.

Wayne Tewnion

www.blacktruffles.co.nz

Alexis has been working with Southern Woods since 2014 advising us on inoculation techniques and regularly testing the seedlings to make sure they are fit for sale. Alexis is very conscientious and has a strong and honest work ethic, is passionate about mycorrhizal fungi and inspires people around him too by sharing his knowledge.

Susy Mannall

www.southernwoods.co.nz

We have been associated with Alexis Guerin for past 11 years through our truffiere and have found him very dedicated & thorough in his work, which has involved root sampling and setting up a Truffle trial over past 2 years. Very easy to work with and able to be contacted when necessary.

Toff and Laurie Mylchreest

Hamilton, Waikato

My career with the US Forest Service and Oregon State University involved research on the sustainability of harvesting wild edible mycorrhizal fungi. Developing the means to cultivate these fungi is an integral part of how humans will sustainably enjoy this culinary resource. For decades, I have admired the research done by Alexis and his New Zealand colleagues on this biologically and ecologically daunting and complex topic.  Alexis, as Secretary of the Scientific Committee of the International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms, is world-renown as a global expert in this field. Yet he remains a modest, pragmatic, and enthusiastic man. Entrepreneurs in New Zealand, you are blessed with having a world-class mycologist to consult on how to succeed with your endeavours!

David pilz

Pilzwald – Forestry Applications of Mycology, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Over a number of years, we have employed Dr Alexis Guerin to advise us on the management of our Truffière. He has provided advice on soil structure, tree management, truffle production and root inoculation. Dr Guerin has a strong commitment to science and the scientific production of truffles that has greatly benefited New Zealand truffle production. His science practice is underpinned by solid practices, processes and policies. We have benefited directly from Dr Guerin’s advice on new findings for truffle production as well as his shared findings from joint research with international colleagues. Dr Guerin has also helped to connect us with growers and scientists, generously sharing the international networks he has established throughout New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Northern America.

Rebecca Hamid and Peter Burton

River Road Company Limited/River Road Truffles

Riverroad Truffles
Mayfair Pools
Southern Woods Truffles Office, Christchurch NZ
Tewnion Truffiere NZ

HOW TO FIND me

Contact Alexis

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ADDRESS
Alexis Guerin-Laguette Ph. D.
Mycotree C/-Southern Woods Nursery
1002 Robinsons Road, Templeton,
Christchurch, New Zealand

PHONE & EMAIL
Call us please: +64 27 434 0387 
alexis@mycotree.co.nz
guerin.myco@gmail.com

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Logo: Jean-Paul Guerin-Laguette

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