You can cultivate truffles yourself. Oak seedlings or hazel saplings (so-called host trees) are inoculated with truffle spores and grown in a greenhouse for around two years. Once the host tree has been planted out, what is needed above all is one thing: patience. The first truffles appear no earlier than five to ten years later — when everything goes right. On average it takes eight to fifteen years to reach full yield.

Three prerequisites

Soil

Truffles want calcareous, well-draining soil with a pH between 7.5 and 8.5. Acidic or heavy clay soils are unsuitable. Anyone planning a plantation has a soil analysis done first — pH can be raised with lime, but not arbitrarily.

Climate

Mediterranean to continental zones with warm, dry summers and cool, not too wet winters are ideal. The Périgord truffle thrives in the Mediterranean basin; in the Swiss midlands and southern Germany, Burgundy and summer truffles do better. The white Alba truffle, as mentioned, cannot be reliably cultivated.

Host tree

The usual choices are English oak, holm oak, downy oak, hazel and lime. The choice depends on climate zone and target species. Important: buy seedlings only from certified nurseries with a track record of successful inoculation.

The process

  1. Year 0 — planting. Inoculated seedlings go into prepared ground in spring, around 6 × 6 metres apart.
  2. Years 1–4 — establishment. Young trees develop their root system and mycorrhiza. Little maintenance beyond watering during dry spells.
  3. Years 5–8 — first "brûlés". Around the trees, circular zones of sparse vegetation appear — a sign of active mycorrhiza. The first small truffles can appear.
  4. Years 8–15 — productive phase. Full harvests, provided soil, weather and care all align. A dog is brought in to search.
  5. Year 25+ — decline. Yields drop; the plantation is rebuilt.
pH range
7.5 – 8.5
First harvest
after ~8 years
Full yield
after 15+ years
Avg per hectare
~50 kg/year

Realism

Yields per truffle tree vary from nothing at all to several kilograms per season, and can swing wildly from year to year. Per hectare, under ideal conditions, an average of around 50 kilograms can be harvested — which is a good figure. Many plantations never reach it.

A truffle plantation is an investment for the next generation, not the next quarter.

Anyone planning a serious plantation begins with a soil analysis, an experienced consultant and realistic expectations. More on hunting the finished plantation under Truffle dog / pig.