Elmseeker et al,
I'm seeing lots of good advice from some familiar names again this year.
Was pleasantly surprised when I saw your first message come through last week.
ShroomHawk's response hit's it right on the head. Shape of the tree is much easier to spot from a distance than looking at the bark. 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up, mature elms branches out into a Y shape. I'm also looking for lighter colored pulp wood underneath where the bark has begun to fall off but not all the bark has fallen from the tree yet. When you read the paragraph below I'm looking for bark indicators in the 2-8 yr range. Light colored pulp wood on a Y shaped tree that has the bark beginning to fall off. Now is the time go out and you can scout entire hillsides from a distance before any emerging foliage starts blocking the view. Make a mental note or even sketch quick diagrams of where your dead Elms are and you'll be able to walk right to them when the time comes.
When most trees die or receive damge (all these depend on the tree species, but I'm giving you generalizations for Elms)
1st year the bark will hang on .
2nd year bark starts to peel and fall off.
5 yrs Upper limbs will begin to fall and appx 1/2 of the outer bark has fallen off.
6 years Thermal BTUs of the inner wood begin to dissipate (It'll start to feel lighter than normal if you pick it up)
8 years 3/4 of the outer bark has fallen off
10 years most of the outer bark has fallen off and wood begins to turn gray.
Whenever you see lightning strikes, fires/burn areas and especially fallen limbs or damage to the tree, remember that a trees root structure is often times the inverse of the tree shape above ground. If there's a limb that has fallen from above or an area of the tree that has sustained damage, chances are the corresponding root structure underneath the ground has or will also become affected. One of the 5 criteria mushrooms need to propagate is a food source like a decaying root structure to nourish the mycelia enough to send out it's thread that eventually emerges out of the ground and becomes the root base of the mushroom as we see it on the surface. So... look on the ground, on the same side of the tree underneath where you see damaged, ill or broken limbs or areas on a tree.
One of the biggest things I realized over the last couple years that I was doing wrong was overlooking smaller or younger elms because they're harder to identify when they're young. These younger Elms are also the ones that may have damaged limbs or specific areas of a tree affected by wind, fire, animals, water or any number of things.
A second thing that I also realized over the last couple years was how often you find morels along game trails or walking paths that other humans including mushroom hunters may be taking to get back and forth to their vehicles or while they're out walking around. Remember to use an open cell bag so the spores can drop out and propagate as you're walking. It'll make a difference in the years to come.
ShroomCrafter I always appreciate your videos and carrying bags like you were in your Go for the Gold 14 lbs clip above makes me remember that I was carrying much smaller bags back in 2012. If I remember correctly 2012 was a tough year because we got the temps but didn't have the moisture with it until late in the season. If you ever need another set of eyes to go with you or don't want to be out walking alone in remote wooded areas let me know. From our correspondence last year I think you're not too far away on the other side of the river.