In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Any mushroom gatherers

Discussion in 'Hobbies and Interests' started by Sandhillbilly, Apr 16, 2020.

  1. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    Does anyone gather morel mushrooms? I would like to, but don’t know much about it. Years ago I had some elm trees removed in my yard, a year or two after that a bunch of what I thought were morels popped up. I picked them and tried to find somebody local to confirm that’s what they were. No luck, and they were huge! Had to throw them out. I think it was the next year a local guy asked if I ever had any in my yard because it looks like a good place for em. :headbang:
    He also said that “if you ever eat some, you’ll start looking for them”
    So where do I look? I’m guessing dampish areas where hardwoods grow with rich soil and leaf decay. Not to many spots like that around me because mostly sandy soils but I know a couple spots to check.
    Any tips or advice appreciated
     
  2. M2theB

    M2theB

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    :popcorn:
     
  3. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Those ones you had that couldn't confirm if they were out not, did you cut any in half? If they were hollow, they were probably true morels, not the false morels that you don't want to eat.

    From my woods last May. I have large hands, this was a monster. I find the big blonds in the woods, and smaller Grey's in the field on my wood lot.



    20190528_175021.jpg

    I also found a decent amount in my front yard, picking up sticks before mowing the lawn.

    Here's from the front yard, growing from the dying ash tree. These are smaller grey morels, but they taste the same. 20190511_122015_HDR.jpg

    Morels taste awesome. My wife makes an awesome morel carmelized onion, roasted garlic and asparagus, sausage, and parm /asiago or fontina cheese pizza on her home made dough. It's also great in a crab and morel risotto. I can dig up a picture of the pizza if you want.
     
  4. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    That’s ok probably just make me hungry and jealous
     
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  5. Mitch Newton

    Mitch Newton

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    Here's some we found last year. Have not heard about this season yet. I always like to be in the woods on May 1. I'm hoping for a big rain or snow in the next week. Not too many elms around here anymore. I like to look for Ash, Sycamore and Tulip trees now. When the Mayapples come out its time. Good luck.
     

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  6. lukem

    lukem

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    People say morels grow around this kind of tree.....in this kind of soil.....on hill sides....on flat land.....etc. I think that's a bunch of BS. They grow where they want to grow and you just have to cover enough ground to find out where they decide to pop up. I've had a couple honey holes that would produce 3-5lbs a year, but over time they just up and vanish and you have to find the next ones. Several times I have found a bunch of them growing on a creek bank....the soil was so sandy I had to throw them away because the sand was embedded in the mushroom flesh. I stopped looking there, but I'm sure I'd find more if I kept looking.

    I do find that I've had better luck finding them around trees that are almost but not quite dead. Doesn't really matter what kind. Must be something about the root system of the tree when it is struggling to live that mushrooms like.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2020
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  7. fishingpol

    fishingpol

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    I've been reading a lot of articles lately about where to look. I'm going to poke around out back here in the next couple of weeks and see what appears. Lilacs haven't opened up yet. We have had good rain though.
     
  8. Horkn

    Horkn

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    I've found the may apples need to be up for a few days, not just sprouting otherwise it's a waste of time looking for morels.
     
  9. moresnow

    moresnow

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    No Lilacs or Asparagus = zero morels here. Its been to cold. 27F last night. I sure am looking forward to doing some hunting soon.
     
  10. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    I've never tried morels. I do see what looks like them, popping up in my yard. Maybe this year, if they show.

    Anyone have any ideas about how to propagate them? As in, "when they look like this... break them up and scatter". If that works at all.
     
  11. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Me & a buddy walk almost 2.5 miles... and did 7 flights of stairs according to the my app...:D... found a tons of MayApples... no shrooms though... but it was a absolutely great day to be out...
     
  12. moresnow

    moresnow

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    One of the last great mysteries left is how to produce Morels. It's been tried many ways without success. Unfortunately.



    If there are no shrooms around KC it will be some time before I see them.
     
  13. moresnow

    moresnow

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    thegreatmorel.com will give you the latest map showing where they are currently being found. I should be seeing them soon. I have them on my place:)
     
  14. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Oh they are out... been hearing about them for about 2 weeks now ... but we just didn’t find any...:confused:...
     
  15. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    What I've heard is you need several days of 60 degree days and 40 degree nights. Check the southern exposure of dying elm trees and tulip poplar. No luck in southern New Jersey. Someone posted a find about an hour from here. Good luck hunting y'all!
     
  16. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    No elm or poplar around our property. Ash, oak, maple, and black birch. I guess they grow where they want to.
     
  17. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

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    We've been reading to much "mother earth news"! Chris loves those things!
     
  18. lukem

    lukem

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    My 10 year old son just showed up with 52 yellows and grays.
     
  19. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    They come in different colors?

    Happy to put my ignorance about them on display.
     
  20. lukem

    lukem

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    I'm not sure if this depends on geography or not, but around here you get blacks, grays, and yellows.

    Blacks are the first to come up.....followed by grays....followed by yellows. Depending on the year they might have no overlap in time....or almost come all at once.