MAY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 59
most successful mushroom hunters
don't go into the woods and search
randomly: They learn to read the trees.
River bottoms with open forests
of dying trees, most notably ash,
aspen, elm, and cottonwood trees, are
prime morel habitat. As mentioned
previously, morels love moist, well-
drained, loose, loamy soil. Early in the
season, look for morels on south-facing
slopes where the soil is warmed by the
sun. As the season progresses, continue
searching for mushroom on north-
facing slopes.
When you walk into the woods,
follow the dying or dead trees, Davis
said. Morels love to hang out at the
base of these trees, especially those
that have been stripped of their bark.
But as soon as you find a mushroom,
don't pick it right away. Carefully
scan the areas around that morel. Often
when you find one morel, you will
find others that are part of the same
"patch." Morels also like areas where
snake grass (Equisetum) exists, and
they're said to likely grow in areas that
have been recently disturbed through
burning or flooding. Early-season
morels will be small and harder to find,
while late-season morels will be larger
and easier to spot. Wherever morels
may be found, though, never trespass
onto private property.
Still, no matter how much you've
read or heard about morels, you'll
likely come to the conclusion that they
are one of the greatest mysteries of
our woods. They have popped up in
strange places such as in landscaping
wood chips, fireplaces and even
cracks in sheetrock wall, according to
Warm spring rains, like this one near Niobrara State Park early last May, encourage morel mushrooms to "pop."
