Recent studies have determined matsutake is a  sustainable resource if harvested using the hand to carefully remove mushroom. Statistics indicate disturbance of the mycelia layer reduced the number of mushrooms produced in following years. 

Tools are commonly used to harvest, and are accepted as a proper harvest method by pickers and land managers in general. A variety of methods are used, but most insert the tool in the soil about 1 inch from the mushroom, at a depth just below the bottom of the stem, and pry up. Resulting divot is then stomped down.

 A study initiated September 21, 2001 at the Westside study site, will evaluate long term production, comparing tool use and hand picking.