[sir garlic]

I've found 4"-6" yellows in grass on the south face of a sun drenched earthen dam (farm pond) 75 yds - 100 yds from the nearest tree. Had gone to fish and stumbled across them when leaving. Crappie and morels are proof that God loves us.

 

[Mule wrangler]

Only way you will get good at it is by knowing the bark in my opinion. It's to hard to see the leaves a far off. A lot of elms will have the classic Y shape to them about mid way up, but not always. I am still learning like yourself. I got help though as our back yard is all elms. I went up there today to study the bark more closely. I was only up there like 10 min and when coming back in I felt some thing on my leg, and sure enough it was a tick. They are going to be bad this year. If you check back on here tomorrow I will go up and take some pictures close up of the bark and tree. That should give you an idea of how they look right here in Iowa.

Is there any difference between elm and chinese elm? The only elm trees I know of around here have always been called Chinese Elm. If they are different trees will morels grow around or can be found around Chinese Elm trees?

 

[Mule wrangler]

I've found 4"-6" yellows in grass on the south face of a sun drenched earthen dam (farm pond) 75 yds - 100 yds from the nearest tree. Had gone to fish and stumbled across them when leaving. Crappie and morels are proof that God loves us.

Yes, that is proof of God all right and I sure need a lot of God's help to get them both!!!

 

[Mule wrangler]

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.

Do you know if there is any difference between what they call an elm tree and what they call a Chinese Elm. The only elm trees we have around here that I know of are called Chinese Elm. I'm wondering if there is a difference if morels will grow around Chinese elm trees? Any knowledge you could share on this would be very much appreciated

 

[shroomsearcher]

I've found 4"-6" yellows in grass on the south face of a sun drenched earthen dam (farm pond) 75 yds - 100 yds from the nearest tree. Had gone to fish and stumbled across them when leaving. Crappie and morels are proof that God loves us.

Same here. Walked into a new place I had never been in and found nothing. Coming out there's about 2-3 acre field leading to the road where I was parked. Walking along a kind of overgrown 2 track, out of the corner of my eye I see something that was the right color for a morel. A nice big yellow growing in the grass. I found about a dozen big ones in perfect condition. This was in May, so I'd guess they were the bigfoot variety. This was 5 years ago, and I've never found them there again, but I check that spot every year.

Some time ago I found an online vid of Larry Lonik and a friend getting a huge haul of morels from the middle of a cow pasture!

Is there any difference between elm and chinese elm? The only elm trees I know of around here have always been called Chinese Elm. If they are different trees will morels grow around or can be found around Chinese Elm trees?

I'd suggest you do a computer search for your state's division of forestry. People call trees all kinds of different names. Lots of folks refer to "Tulip Poplars" which are really NOT a poplar, they are simply Tulip Trees. Here in Ohio I looked up poplars searching for a place to maybe look for blacks, and discovered that Ohio has NO poplars. What people call poplar are actually bigtooth or dogtooth aspen! Your forestry division should be able to clear up any questions you have.

Also, it's not just elm trees. I've found morels near apple, sycamore, eastern cottonwood, and in a grass field. Never near maples, oaks or pines. Oh, and sometime around beech as well.