Morel mushrooms grow in specific natural habitats that provide the right conditions of moisture, temperature, and suitable tree associations. Key places to find morels include:
- Along creek banks and riverbanks where the soil is moist but not soggy, often on both sides of the water
- Near dead or dying trees , especially fallen logs or at the base of standing dying trees, as morels thrive on decomposing organic matter
- In ditches and edges of wooded areas , which are often moist and have disturbed soil, making them ideal for morel growth
- Under certain types of trees , notably sycamore, cedar, elm, ash, poplar, apple, cottonwood, and maple trees. Morels often grow around the bases of these trees, especially where the bark is peeling or decomposing
- In burn areas such as those affected by controlled forest burns or wildfires, where morels are often among the first fungi to appear
- On south-facing slopes and hard west-facing slopes that warm up early in spring, with later season growth on east and north-facing slopes as the season progresses
- In areas with alkaline, lime-rich soils , often indicated by the presence of trees like slippery elm, hackberry, and hickory
Morels typically emerge in spring when ground temperatures reach about 53°F and after adequate rainfall. They prefer moist but well-drained soils and are commonly found in woodlands or at the edges of forests with suitable tree hosts
. In summary, to find morel mushrooms, look in moist, wooded areas near specific trees (dead or alive), along waterways, in ditches, on slopes that warm quickly in spring, and in recently burned or disturbed forest sites
