Oklahoma Message Board 2020

Happy new year everyone and let the 2020 Season be as bountiful as 2019 !

 

Good and antsy to hit the woods in 2.5 months - Current NOAA seasonal outlook for March-April-May over OK calls for slightly warmer than average temps and near average rainfall. Hope that the trend will progressively shift toward a cooler and wetter than average scenario, as was the case for 2019.

 

Hey there Tommy: Red Cedars (which are actually Junipers), are reliable producers as long as it is a wetter than average year [assuming near normal temps]. Of course, colder than average temps in early-mid April will extend the season [larger flush per mycelium and slower growth of morels] and warmer temps will shorten it drastically [75-80+F temps for 3 straight days]. From my experience one needs a minimum of ~0.75 inch of rain to soak the top soil underneath a cedar grove. To maintain this moisture under normal temps in late March-early April, one would need such an event at least once every 7-10 days. Hope this helps

 

Howdy, Wade:
From my experience looking at yearly reports, it appears that SE OK counties do not produce as many morels as elsewhere in the state - likely because of a different mix of host trees [pines] and soil composition [less clay]. SE OK is, however, a reliable spot for chanties and other prized edibles such as chickens/hens [more oaks]. The hot spots for morels in OK seems to be near and around OKC- Pott county. On any given wetter-than average (and esp. cooler) year, one is almost certain to stumble across patches of esculentas [smaller grey species] near cedar groves in these areas. Cotton wood groves hit by severe weather (esp tornadoes/downbursts) in that area are notorious for producing bucketloads of a larger type of esculenta [bright yellow]. Lets keep our fingers crossed for some rain throughout March and early April especially knowing that the soil has been rather well conditioned by abundant (non flooding) moisture this last few weeks !

 

Thanks Santa Shroom; Likewise; wishing you a sled full of shrooms !