Hello all. I hope I'm posting this in the right spot. I have a few questions, being a newbie and all.

First, is it true that morels do not grow around pines? We are full of pines here in crawford county. Also, in recently logged areas, and fire areas, which we also have a lot of here, do you mean pine areas? Or hard woods. I've heard that they grow in abundance in hardwoods, but not so much in pines. I do know to look in Maple areas, around dead elms, ash, aspen, fruit trees and so forth. I've learned that thru research.

We found an abandoned apple orchard around here, but it's really sunny there, and dry, doesn't seem moist or damp at all. Is it best not to hunt there because of that?

I'm at work so I only have a limited amount of time online here, but I will be researching for a bit. On my way home in the morning, I'll be driving down a main highway and have noticed some hardwoods patches up and down the road btwn Crawford County and Kalkaska County. Would stopping in the morning be better than searching in the afternoon, or does it make a difference?

Thank you for your patience, I can't wait to see all of your answers....!!

here is a good thread on pine trees viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11489

the early bird gets the worm

Yes, morels do grow around pines, and it seems from the pine thread here on NCM, there are many a host. White, Red, Jack, and Spruce seem to be the dominate favorites. I've found them on white pines, and spruce pines myself here in SE MI. some people only find them on a pine in the mixed hardwoods with occasional pine hosts. Logged areas from what i hear are usually a miss, but can be a good hit the following season after a log, same thing for a burn. It just depends what gets logged or burnt i would say. and if that forest even hosted morels to begin with. they grow where they grow!


I would say probably not a good place if there is no moisture, but doesnt hurt to take a quick look each season.



I often hunt in the evening, but i know up in the popular woods if you dont get there early in the morning, you'll find the occasional overlooked morel, and a lot of stumps

thank you for your response. I haven't found any yet, but the areas I've looked in have been kinda dry, have a few other areas I' m going to check out this week. I've found some maple ridges with some poplars in them. Another quick question: would it be better to look further into the woods, or if there are any will they also be within 100 ft of the road? ...thanks again

everybody and there grandmother checks close to the road or entrance. you might find one or two small ones that people left or missed but if you want too find a big patch all your own, prepare for a hike. theres alot of very experienced shroomers out there, and sometimes a big hike still isn't good enough. your best bet is to find private land where nobody else hunts on and ask for permission,witch is very hard also.

Thank you, that is good advice also, I happen to know someone nearby that has already given us permission to deer hunt on her land so asking about mushroom hunting is a great idea...thank you for that...

I agree,get away from the easy spots.Get a good GPS,compass and topo map and learn to use them.Scout all year,not just when the season is already going....good luck.