Identifying Trees in Spring
I would like to extend a huge thank you to our friends at What Tree Is It? for providing the photos needed to make this page possible.
Since this sight is aimed at helping the morel hunter at becoming successful in his/her morel hunt, I thought this site wouldn't be complete without a page that provides information on tree identification. Morel hunters know that the main key to finding morels is knowing which trees produce. I have included the main hosting trees for morels. Although morels have been found near other types of trees but I think I have included the main big hitters here on this page.
Quaking and Big-Tooth Aspen
Aspen Tree
 |
Aspen Bark
 |
Aspen Leaf
Aspen Fruit
 |
Photos Courtesy of
Oplin
Morels Associated:
Black Morels~Morchella Elata, M Angusticeps, M Conica
Yellow Morels~Morchella Esculenta, M Deliciosa, M Crassipes
Beefsteak Morels~Gyromitra Esculenta
Height:50-60 Feet Tall
Diameter:2-3 Feet with a rounded crown and slender branches.
Description
The Quaking Aspen and the Big-tooth Aspen trees are very similar in appearance. The bark is kind of a smooth light grey or whiteish and in certain cases an olive cast with small furrows that almost appear as small horizontal lines. They Typically grow in clustered groves.
Leaf Characteristics:
The Quaking Aspen Leaves have a Semi-rounded,appearance that comes to a point. 1 1/2-3 inches wide. Color is a yellowish green and has very tiny rounded teeth.
The main distinction between the Quaking Aspen and the Big-tooth Aspen is the leaves. The Quaking Aspen leaves have small tiny teeth whereas the Big-tooth Aspen has large jagged looking teeth. Other than that the two trees look pretty much alike.
Big-Tooth Aspen Leaf
Tulip Poplar
Tulip Poplar
 |
Tulip Poplar
 |
Tulip Poplar
Poplar Fruit
 |
Photos Courtesy of
Oplin
Morels Associated:
Black Morels~Morchella Elata, M Angusticeps, M Conica
Yellow Morels~Morchella Esculenta, M Deliciosa, M Crassipes
Beefsteak Morels~Gyromitra Esculenta
Height:80-100 Feet Tall
Diameter:2-6 Feet with a variable crown and large branches.
Description
The Poplar or Tulip tree is the tallest in North America. They can reach heights of 200 feet.
The bark is gray and fairly smooth when young. As the tree matures the bark become furrowed forming a diamond shape or "X" pattern (depending on your perspective)
Leaf Characteristics:
The Tulip Poplar leaves are easy to remember since they are shaped like a Tulip, Hence the name.
They are typically 4-6 inches long with 4 broad lobes. Color is a dark to pale green and the edges are smooth.
Cottonwood
Eastern Cottonwood
 |
Eastern Cottonwood Bark
 |
Eastern Cottonwood Leaf
Eastern Cottonwood Fruit
 |
Photos Courtesy of
Oplin
Morels Associated:
Black Morels~Morchella Elata, M Angusticeps, M Conica
Beefsteak Morels~Gyromitra Esculenta
Height:60-100 Feet Tall
Diameter:Up to 5 Feet with a wide crown and large branches.
Description
The bark is Pale, thin, and smooth at a young age becoming grayish brown, thick, and very deeply furrowed from the base of the tree upwards. Very similar to the Tulip Poplar. The Cottonwood bark has deeper furrows.
Leaf Characteristics:
The Cottonwood leaves are broad and flat, fine double teeth, all teeth the same size,
triangular with a long stem.
Quaking & Big-tooth Aspen
|
Tulip Poplar
|
Eastern Cottonwood
|
Sugar Maple
|
White Ash
|
American Elm
