Hello and welcome October has been another busy month for us at MSL. We have been hard at work preparing all the trees for the plantations being set up over the coming winter. We also have some new packaging for our single tree orders and special Christmas packaging for those of you who are looking for Christmas present ideas. We know it may be a bit early for some of you to be thinking about Christmas, but it is only a few short weeks away! Email your Christmas orders now to shop@plantationsystems.com or simply purchase online from www.plantationsystems.com/shop. If you send us an email stating your preferred delivery date we can post your very special Christmas truffle tree to arrive just in time for Christmas. 

We've also got a more updates for you, including truffle cultivation in Cyprus and even more financial support for those of you looking to set up a plantation in Wales.

For now, enjoy the updates and please feel free to get in contact with any questions or comments


Kind regards,


Dr Paul Thomas and the Mycorrhizal Systems Team


Planting and Tree Deliveries 

From the beginning of November our first plantings of the season are being undertaken in the Northern hemisphere and we're gearing up for large scale tree dispatch. Traditionally, November and December are good months to plant, as the trees are dormant and planting in early winter allows the truffley-roots plenty of time to settle in before mycorrhiza and root-growth starts again in spring. All this is going on whilst seeds are just starting to germinate in the Southern hemisphere! We always hold a little extra stock, so if you're interested in starting you own plantation in the coming months or next year, get in contact and we may be able to help you. For those of you looking at one hectare or more, you'll also be eligible for our Partnership Programme. For further information, please contact: Invest@plantationsystems.com or +44(0)1433 659 167 

Truffles in Cyprus 

Last month the first wild truffles in Cyprus were found by Sonia, the only truffle hunting dog in the country. The truffles were found in the Limassol and Paphos district of the island and were identified as the Summer Truffle by the Mycological Association. The summer truffle has a broad tolerance of temperatures and drought and is found in the wild all over Europe, from the UK to North Africa.

Towards the end of last month MSL has helped set up the first truffle plantation in Cyprus.

All this truffley news is very exciting and hopefully we will be seeing a lot more truffles from Cyprus, and even get a few more trained dogs there to hunt for them. Areas of the island have a perfect climate for cultivating the Summer Truffle, and in some parts even the more expensive winter truffle. If you want more information about setting up a truffle plantation anywhere in the world please contact us at paul@plantationsystems.com or +44 (0) 1422 844095

The White Truffle Season 2010

The white truffle, the most expensive fungi in the world, is now in season. This rare truffle that is only available for these few months of the year are almost exclusively from one part of Italy. They fetch the staggering price of over £2,000/Kg, and are the ultimate culinary luxury. They have a unique aroma; some say the smell like a combination of newly ploughed soil, fall rain, burrowing earthworms and the pungent memory of lost youth and old love affairs.

One of the reasons that these truffles are so expensive is that they are declining in numbers every year, thanks to a number of man-made factors. Unlike the Summer and Winter Truffles, the white truffle cannot be cultivated, (not yet anyway, we are working on it at MSL). While various white truffle festivals are currently being held in Italy in celebration, we also have a small number of white truffles available for those of you who would like to taste this rare delicacy. From just £20 for just enough for a special meal to several kilos - if you would like to place an order please do get in contact. They'll be issued on a first-come-first serve basis! Please call: +44 (0) 1422 844095 or email Shop@Plantationsystems.com

New woodland creation grant in Wales offers up to £9,000 per hectare 

The new Glastir woodland creation grant provides support for the costs of creating new woodlands. It is part of the woodland creation scheme in Wales with the aim to create more native and mixed woodland for Wales.

The scheme, which can offer up to £9,000 per hectare for farmers planting native trees, was launched last month. It is available to all landowners, not just farmers or members of the Glastir agri-environmental scheme. The scheme includes a planting grant, covering the first three years, an income foregone payment over 15 years and also a payment of £3.15 per metre for new fencing.

The scheme was launched to help the Welsh Assembly's target of creating 100,000ha of new native and mixed woodland over the next 20 years, with the purpose of reducing the effects of climate change on the Welsh landscape and soaking up carbon dioxide.

The deadline for this scheme is the 22nd of November, so applications need to be completed as soon as possible! More information can be found atwww.wales.gov.uk or you can email shop@plantationsystems.com for application forms. This is fantastic news for farmers who are looking to set up plantations in Wales as the scheme could pay for nearly all of the costs of setting up a truffle plantation. The climate and soil in Wales is ideal for the Summer Truffle. If you would like more information about setting up a plantation please email: shop@plantationsystems.com or Tel: +44(0)1422 844095.

School in Perth

In last month's newsletter we wrote about the mystery truffle that was found by school children in Perth. We have received a sample from the school, and the truffle doesn't look like the familiar Summer Truffle found in the UK. Unfortunately we haven't received the results back from the DNA lab in time for this month's newsletter, but we haven't forgotten about it and will keep you updated next month.