morels

[Yellowfin]

Was thinking about morels during my last fish dinner. Now that I live in the woods I would like to see if there are any around. I've never known them to be this far south(Flint). Does anyone know what the range is for this shroom.

[StumpJumper]

They are everywhere in MI. Some spots better than others though.

[YPSIFLY]

I have found them in Westland which is East of Detroit. I've also found them in Lansing.

Want morels? Go to Mio after Mothers Day. My sister came back with pounds last year.

[Ebowhunter]

We have found a couple in our flower gardens in the last five years (Waterford/Pontiac).

[hypox]

They are everywhere in michigan. I've found a ton around Kalamazoo/vicksburg area and around the sturgis area. You just need to find a good honey hole, then not tell anybody about it.:D

[el Cazador]

what types of terrain would a newbie look for in order to find morels??

[Yellowfin]

I'm no master but I can relay what I've been taught. You need good forest floor, thick black humus. For the early blacks we find em in slight depressions or bowls. Typically there are poplars near by. That might be coincidence. Need good wet forest floor for the shrooms to grow. I think dew and moisture collects in the depressions. For the whites, yellows, and greys later in spring I dont know much. I've found them on humps, dips, field edges, deep forest, all over. I always look for dead elm trees then do a big circle around the tree. Must have something to do with the ph of the soil from the decaying tree. The dead elm usually yields a few. I think the key is spending alot of time roaming. When you find some, remember the spot and remember it well. I now have tons of spots up north that I collect them from every year and getting a bunch is easy and quick. I dont have any spots down here "yet". The mushrooms stem from an underground, fine, threadlike network. The mushroom is basically the fruit of the underground tree. As long as you dont destroy the underground part, the mushrooms will return every year in the exact same spot provided proper weather conditions. So pinch the stem above the ground leaving a stump. This way the network remains in tact. I also believe in carrying the bounty in a mesh onion bag, not paper or plastic. This may be wives tale but I believe the mesh bag allows the spores to be spread as you walk which may create new beds in the future. Cant hurt. I've read that newly disturbed areas allow the shrooms to grow i.e. logging, forest fires. I think the cause of this deals with warmth. The shrooms like it warm and wet, so do I but thats another story. Without the trees providing shade in these cleared areas, the sun can heat the forest floor. Keep this in mind while your in search mode. Stay on S-SW-W hillsides if your in hilly terrain or stay on the N-NE-E field edges just inside the tree line. Dont overlook the grass in these places but be prepared to look on your hands and knees. These places recieve the most sun exposure and heat in the early spring. This is what I did to find my spots up north(Gaylord). There are probably tons of other methods and clues that pertain to specific regions. Go to your local library and get a book on them. Not the best reading but a good tool.

[StumpJumper]

I'm conducting a field survey of the different habitats morels will grow in. Please e-mail the area and location of any big mushroom patches you find.(GPS coordinates would be great!) :D

[Yellowfin]

I have my best spots fenced off with claymore mines and laser guided 50 cal. turret guns. I know you wouldn't go to my spots stump, but others might. So in the publics' best interest I'll keep em to my self. Safety first!

[StumpJumper]

I'm a shroomin maniac. I start in Indiana and end up in Alcona county. I also hit Newago, Mesick,and Traverse City. I have a couple other new spots to hit this year also.

[Drake]

Yellowfin,
I have Morals on my property (sorry no directions) that is part of an old apple orchard I've cut some of the trees down and have left tall stumps to be pulled out for horse pasture.
The horses are not allowed in it until after mushroom season.
Question: Will I kill off my mushroom supply if I pull these stumps ?
Also I would like to know if I'll hurt them with with herbicides?
Dave :confused:

[StumpJumper]

I'd say yes to both questions. Although I don't know for sure, I wouldn't chance it myself!

[SKUNK]

Drake
I mushroom hunt an apple orchard that the farmer sprays under the trees every year. I find white ones there all the time, it makes for an easy hunt 'cause there is no grass to look thruogh. We drive through the orchard and get out of the truck when we see some. I,ve also found the same trees to be hot every year.

[Yellowfin]

I agree with the others. Use the herbicide but leave the stumps. As before I believe the rotting root system of the stumps will give the soil the desired ph level. Plus pulling the stumps will definitely damage the underground thread network of the shrooms.

[Yellowfin]

Stump, you're not alone in your travels. I go up north, fish the morning, get the shrooms the rest of the day and have a hum dinger of a dinner. Sometimes I just go up for the shrooms.
The vast state land in my area is cluttered with indiana and ohio license plates during april and may. We get a lot of pressure but most must be picking em the right way, leaving a stem stump, cause they come back year after year. I've actually seen people post "no trespassing" signs around their good spots up there. Mind you this is on "State Land". Unbelievable.

[The Nailer]

Great tips, I've never hunted for them, but love eating them. I have an old orchard at my camp that Iwill for sure check out this year. One question I didn't see in any of the posts, when they start popping up? My camp is north of Hillman, what time of year should I start looking?

[StumpJumper]

The blacks pop up first, depending on the weather, usually the last week in April. Then follows the greys, yellows and whites. Mothers day weekend is usually a good time to find a variety of mushrooms.

[mich buckmaster]

All right I am going to tell you where you can get LOTS of mushrooms:

Go North on 23 while reading a book. Then go south on 23 while reading a book. Now head where you came from . Then go outside and start looking.



NEVER give up your morel stash.