Mushrooms are as important to trees as they are to squirrels. In fact, a tree’s survival depends on mushrooms, or mycorrhiza. Mycorrhiza literally means “fungus-root” and denotes a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and certain fungi. A symbiotic relationship is one where two organisms benefit from a close association. Learn more about mycorrhiza in this podcast.

This Field Note was written by Sue Reel. Please visit the Field Notes website at the Montana Natural History Center for more information.