[barndog]

Is it too early to be thinking about Merkels???

 

[morelsxs]

Never too early. I can't think of when I don't think of 'em.

 

[barndog]

I hope all this rain will make a season like last year.

 

[Markandkecia]

Anyone know where I can look in va for morels

 

[barndog]

You can find Morels just about anywhere in VA. I find them in the western half of the state just because I live there.

 

[Markandkecia]

Thank you my friend I've been trying to find out if they grow around here but I cant find anyone who even knew what I was talking about.ive li e in the state for 4 yrs now n haven't been out looking cause I didn't know if they grew around here or not but I'll definitely be looking this year

 

[barndog]

Look in your regular habitat. Deep hollows with poplar or elm trees. Old apple orchards.

What county are you going to look in? I am in Giles.

 

[Markandkecia]

I'm currently living in Chester county not sure where to look around here but I'm dedefinite going out the beginning of April

 

[barndog]

Its warmer in that area than the western part of the where I live. I would start looking next week with this mild weather.

 

[pauliep]

I hope all this rain will make a season like last year.

You have a good one last year? Mine was pretty lacking. This will be my 11th year hunting, and the past couple years definitely haven't been my best.

I have early spots in lower elevations and late spots up higher. My best hauls (by far) have come from the late spots, most notably '09 and '13. The past 2 years were only kind to my early spots so I barely got 5lbs total each year, whereas on a good year like 2013 I've pulled over 40lbs out of my later spots. I'm hoping this year will be another 2013. I feel like it's due!

Happy Hunting!

 

[pauliep]

I'm currently living in Chester county not sure where to look around here but I'm dedefinite going out the beginning of April

It's all about learning trees. My best luck has been north/south/east facing hills, preferably along the bottoms next to rivers and creeks in mostly pure poplar stands. The poplars I'm talking about are Tulip Poplars (or Tulip Trees, etc.) and are very common and easily identified.

Other trees to look for are Ash, which look very much like Poplars except for the leaves, and dead/dying Elms. Elms work wonders for morel hunters in the midwest, with some having pounds and pounds growing under and around a single tree. While not as common (at least in my experience) in Virginia, there are still Elms here and there, and I was lucky enough to come across 2 standing dead ones a few years ago that had lots of big beautiful blonde morels under them. Unfortunately I only got to pick there once as the property was sold later that year.

Anyway, another tree to look out for is the Redbud tree. They're common in suburban yards as ornamentals, but also grow wild (at least further west). They're easily identified in spring by the bright purplish/pinkish color of their buds, and when you see this it's a good indicator that morels in that area are up or on their way up. I haven't seen morels growing specifically around Redbuds, they're only used as an indicator for the season. Another indicator is the Tulip Poplar I mentioned. When their leaves are about the size of a quarter it's typically prime morel season. Living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, I can look at a mountainside and when I see that bright yellow/green of young poplar leaves streaking across it, I know it's time.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions, and Happy Hunting!

 

[barndog]

You have a good one last year? Mine was pretty lacking. This will be my 11th year hunting, and the past couple years definitely haven't been my best.

I have done well the last several years. 2018 was a great year. I put in some miles and found a few new spots that really produced. I noticed that my traditional spots had petered out from over picking. Too many people know about them.

Markandkecia, morels come up in the same place every year. Since you have moved to a new area the only thing to do is get out and walk, put in some miles. Don't discount any area. I have found them in all types of woods, around any type of trees, even out in grassy fields. The different types such as black, grey/green and white typically grow in different areas and different times of the season. My area starts with blacks, any time now with this warm weather, followed by the other types. You may walk thru a area for the next 3 weeks and find nothing then say 3rd week of April, BOOM, merkels everywhere. Once you start finding them somewhere, come back every year.

 

[rick morgan]

Redbuds budded out today in North Virginia but the nights are supposed to turn pretty cold over the next ten days. Will this delay things or should I start looking this week? I'm new to morels. I usually hunt mushrooms in summer and fall.

 

[Markandkecia]

Wouldn't mind making a new hunting partner around here cause I dont really k how alot of ppl around here nor the area as well as up in Pennsylvania.

 

[barndog]

I few more warm nights and it's time to walk.

 

[rick morgan]

Wouldn't mind making a new hunting partner around here cause I dont really k how alot of ppl around here nor the area as well as up in Pennsylvania.

I lead a forage walk at least once a month in Reston. Search Meetup for reston mushroom forage and you can find us. I'm new so it won't let me post the link.

 

[Markandkecia]

I live in Richmond va and I'm a commercial roofing foreman so I dont get much time. If i can get the chance I'll def come by but it's a 2 hr drive from me

 

[Georgel]

I'm in the Hampton Roads area and nothing yet but will look this weekend. With temps this week in the 50s I think maybe another week or so but I'll look every weekend just to see. Never found one before but have hope.

 

[Markandkecia]

I'm going out today to look for a few hrs I live in Chester Virginia. Looks like its getting close so I'm goin out hope I can find some

 

[Georgel]

Nice hope to see pics soon and share mine.