398629 Sat May 05 06:51:53 -0700 2007 82 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 2543849 Anybody spot morels in S. Ontario yet? That last two years have been a total bust for decent mushrooms. Too dry, I suppose, or too many people trampling over the few remaining abodes. I would appreciate getting the heads-up. You don't have to reveal a specific location (although that would be appreciated); just need the green light to start trekking out there. Thanks. Sat May 05 06:51:53 -0700 2007 96383 yaddayadda 1 2544240 I'm guessing in the next two weeks. We need a good warm soaking rain. Then run out there and hunt! Sat May 05 10:24:19 -0700 2007 2543849 12383 Nyleve 1 2544366 Well.....if commercial is an option - saw them today at the North side of St Lawrence market - $52/pound which is less than last year as I recall. There's a mushroom vendor on the second row from the east side of the North Market, near the north end of the building Sat May 05 11:49:14 -0700 2007 2543849 12828 ElizabethS 2 2564884 $42 per pound today. Also, got some ramps and wild garlic, but no $42 morels. I am still trying to pry information out of a friend who was shown a great patch of morels by someone who has since died and made her promise to never tell. Sat May 12 16:09:06 -0700 2007 2544366 13982 faijay 3 2565161 Tell her that if she just invites you along to help with the gathering, then she will have never told you where it is. DT Sat May 12 19:07:44 -0700 2007 2564884 11291 Davwud 2 2571328 I have never seen a mushroom vendor at St. Lawerence (North) Farmers Market. (But I would love to!) Does the mushroom vendor leave early? Tue May 15 11:00:52 -0700 2007 2544366 70173 JonasBrand 1 2546025 Harvest Wagon at Yonge and Summerhill has them. Picked some up today! Pretty pricey at 69.00/lbs. though. Matt Sun May 06 09:59:45 -0700 2007 2543849 68062 Matt416 2 2546702 http://www.dominion-seed-house.com sells spores for seeding in the spring, at $40. Sun May 06 15:51:31 -0700 2007 2546025 56131 jayt90 3 4671290 they only carry oyter mushroom spoors. all else is no longer carried Sun May 10 14:18:06 -0700 2009 2546702 197505 youdonut 1 2547627 We are northeast of the city. I checked our usual spots yesterday, but I think it is still too cold and dry. As Nyleve said, a couple of weeks and some warm rain will do wonders. This week won't help as there is no rain until at least Thursday. Mon May 07 05:51:01 -0700 2007 2543849 12631 dinin and dishin 1 2547840 So when they're ready to go, will someone post for us newbies who'd love to go hunting?? Also, what do I look for in a place to hunt and then where to hunt once I've found the place. DT Mon May 07 07:46:14 -0700 2007 2543849 11291 Davwud 2 2549010 Mushroom books say one thing, but my experience never jives with this. I've found morels right in the middle of grassy sections of our lawn, along dense tree lined boarders between a neighboring field and our property, under a big pine tree and right next to the driveway in a pile of dead leaves. The trick seems to be to get down on ground level and survey the area at eye level. Once you find one, you'll usually see quite a few more easily. Some spots are reliable year after year and some never see another shroom again. My uncle used to have a spot somewhere near Bolton where he found hundreds every year, but he took that knowledge to his grave unfortunately. We have an annual meal we call our "holy doodle" morel dinner. It is a recipe from the LCBO several years ago which is basically a cream-based morel sauce over chicken. It is decadent, but wonderful. The weird name comes the expression I let out one year when we found monster (I mean huge and falic looking) morels along one edge of the driveway (they never appeared there again). We rarely find more than enough for one meal. And to answer another post, we've never found false morels nearby, but I did find saddleback mushrooms nearby last year. If/when I find some, I'll be sure to post a notice. Good luck. Mon May 07 13:12:10 -0700 2007 2547840 12631 dinin and dishin 3 2567954 I've had success near coniferous trees, but mostly in dappled-shade areas beside well-trod paths. And it definitely needs to be warm and after a decent amount of rain has fallen. Every notice how you can't usually make them out, perhaps having passed right by one? But once you've spotted one, then you are able to spot very many thereafter. I guess your eye adjusts to the shape or colour or something. An interesting phenomenon. Mon May 14 09:29:54 -0700 2007 2549010 96383 yaddayadda 1 2548543 I haven't spotted any in the forested areas of Richmond Hill, although I have found many false morels (Gyromitra esculenta). These are, depending who you ask, poisonous or edible with proper processing. I don't eat them, but it raises a question: Does anyone know if true morels are likely to be found in the same areas as false morels? That is, in people's past experience foraging in Southern Ontario, have you encountered true and false morels sharing the same habitat. Happy hunting all, and let's hope for some rain. Mon May 07 11:14:47 -0700 2007 2543849 52341 rld 1 2551051 Here's a great website for mushroom hunting of all kinds. I refer to it when out hunting - they even have a really good message board where you can ask specific questions and check with people who happen to be in your area. http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ Tue May 08 07:04:29 -0700 2007 2543849 12383 Nyleve 1 2551426 After some warm rains, and having a sunny day, morels can often be felt in a field or ground area that had a burn the previous year! Beware of the very similarly shaped poisonous False Morel which does not have a regular shape, but will look as with a bump, one side larger than other,etc. If you find lots, dry them and grind them for use as a steak seasoning! Tue May 08 09:05:42 -0700 2007 2543849 13563 Jar 2 2560262 Morels are safe to pick because false morels (which don't look the same but have a similar shape) are not poisonous but merely unpleasant. So pick away, there have been some gentle rains and a few morels will spring up, in the most unlikely places. Thu May 10 20:05:19 -0700 2007 2551426 56131 jayt90 3 2560909 This is completely untrue. Because a substance is not lethal at miniscule doses does not mean that it is not poisonous. They ARE deadly when raw, and even when cooked, they contain small amounts of gyromitrin, which is a known carcinogen. Fri May 11 06:13:22 -0700 2007 2560262 52423 Kasumeat 4 2561054 Sorry Jayt, I have to agree with Kasumeat. The rule of thumb with wild mushroom picking is better safe than sorry. If you can't be 100% sure about what you are picking, don't risk eating it. Death by chocolate maybe, but death by mushroom...I don't think it's worth it. That said, looking at pictures of morels and false morels, I think it would be hard to confuse the two, especially if you are lucky enough to find a bunch in the same area. Some morels get eaten by snails or start to decay and may lose their characteristic shape, but for the most part they are pretty distinct. Fri May 11 07:07:28 -0700 2007 2560909 12631 dinin and dishin 5 2561734 After a quick check in Wikipedia, I agree. But if I ever found a false morel, I would parboil it to see if it is a delicacy as claimed. Fri May 11 10:31:49 -0700 2007 2561054 56131 jayt90 6 2566760 Jayt, please don't chance it. Wikipedia is not necessarily a reliable source. My mushroom book is clear on this one, and death is a definite possible outcome. If not death, than cramps, vomitting, diarrhea, headaches, jaundice, convulsions and coma are possible outcomes. No mushroom is worth illness or death. My book also states that they no longer sell false morels in European farmer markets because of the risk of serious illness and death. If nothing else, please look beyond Wikipedia to a reliable resource for information on wild mushrooms and their toxins before you eat anything. Sun May 13 18:19:07 -0700 2007 2561734 12631 dinin and dishin 1 2571093 For those who are interested but inexperienced in mushroom hunting I'd recommend the Mycological Society of Toronto http://www.myctor.org/index.html. They lead several forays in the spring and fall, and it's a great way to get out and enjoy the wilds, and pick some mushrooms with experts on hand to help you identify them. I haven't been out on a society foray for years, but my dad used to belong and the forays were a lovely way to spend a day. Tue May 15 10:02:45 -0700 2007 2543849 16219 TwinklyTerrapin 1 2571118 So with this rain we got today and the warmer temps. Is this week/weekend looking like a good time to go?? It would be perfect, just when I'm heading out of town :-( DT Tue May 15 10:09:26 -0700 2007 2543849 11291 Davwud 2 2571370 Yes. I'm going out later today or tomorrow for sure. This weather is perfect. Tue May 15 11:10:52 -0700 2007 2571118 12383 Nyleve 1 2571467 I agree with the above myco-fans that the weather has been right yet (but I'm not an expert). You might want to try the organic farmers' market that wanders through the city different days of the week (Riverdale Park West, Nathan Phillips, High Park, and I think the Dufferin Mall, all different days) . There was a farmer the last couple years who had some great stuff (young puff ball!). Tue May 15 11:31:27 -0700 2007 2543849 91415 hungry_pangolin 1 2579612 Gah! Gah! Gaaaah!!!! I have just come in from my most successful hunt EVER in HISTORY!!! 1-1/2 lbs. of beautiful gorgeous morels in probably about half an hour of hunting. They were in the general area where I've always found a few (by that, I mean, like, 6) but this time the slope was covered with the things! I'm hysterical! What should I do with them? (Right now I'm displaying them on my kitchen counter. Miracle!) FYI - Peterborough Ontario area. Thursday - after the long soaking rain. I knew it. I just knew it. Thu May 17 17:29:48 -0700 2007 2543849 12383 Nyleve 2 2580488 First make sure they don't have any slugs or other creatures on them. We have a dish we make annually at this time of year...if successful. Essentially it is a cream & morel sauce over chicken. (we got it from an LCBO book years ago) I know the cream is decadent, but it's deserved after such a long wait and so much time on your knees. If you are interested, I can post some more details here...it is pretty simple...and devine. I am sooo jealous, we've only found two so far, but I'll go on the hunt later today. Fri May 18 05:51:04 -0700 2007 2579612 12631 dinin and dishin 3 2580611 I was actually considering a morel cream sauce with chicken. But I'm also considering two additional possibilities: fresh fettuccine with morels OR sauteed morels (maybe with some cream) served with a good steak. Go hunting today. It looks like they're up! Fri May 18 06:44:31 -0700 2007 2580488 12383 Nyleve 4 2581455 Sorry. I just have to gloat. See photo. Fri May 18 10:16:34 -0700 2007 2580611 12383 Nyleve 5 2582165 Nice. There was a good-looking recipe for creamed morels on chive toast in the new york times a couple days ago. Fri May 18 13:02:28 -0700 2007 2581455 27847 mickeyj 5 2582775 I am so jealous. We only found 4 today, and my husband picked them while small instead of letting them grow another day. I searched all our spots, but nothing. Last year we didn't have many either. It seems to change year by year. Notes from my recipe: Cleaning...try not to wash as they lose flavour and cut lengthwise to get any worms/bugs etc. hiding in there. If not using immediately store whole in a paper bag in the fridge. Salt and pepper chicken breasts and coat with flour by shaking in a bag. Sauce...heat 1 Tbs butter and 1 Tbs olive oil in a skillet. Add chicken and saute until golden and tender, then remove and keep warm. Add 2 tbs each shallots and onions to same skillet and saute until soft. Add 1/4 cup wine or vermouth Add morels and stir for 3 minutes. (this is based on reconstitued dried morels, so adjust as required for fresh) Add 1 cup 35% cream and reduce by half before adding chicken back in to warm before serving. Sprinkle with parsley and devour while you continue to gloat. Of course the fettucine and or the steak sound great also. I think the cream is a really nice partnering with the woodsy flavour and texture of morels. Fri May 18 16:00:14 -0700 2007 2581455 12631 dinin and dishin 6 2583068 So. Tonight's dinner was: seared ribeyes with morels, fiddleheads sauteed with ramps and a very nice green salad. My husband asked me how much this meal would cost at a restaurant. I told him he couldn't find it anywhere at any price. I salted and peppered the ribeyes and seared them on both sides in a tiny bit of olive oil. Put them in a 200 degree oven to keep warm. Meanwhile, cooked the morels (quartered lengthwise and very well washed - I'm sorry, God, but I think I may have injured a slug in the process but most of them were released unharmed onto my lawn - and then drained well on paper towel) in plenty of butter. Added some brandy - didn't have cognac - and let it evaporate. Added some whipping cream, salt and pepper. Served with the steaks. Seriously. Where can you get this kind of meal at any price? I feel so lucky. Fri May 18 17:52:12 -0700 2007 2582775 12383 Nyleve 7 2583721 Okay, Nyleve, now you've just put me over the edge. You're meal just sounds fabulous. If I find more morels, I will suggest we try it your way (hubby loves any excuse to have a steak). I hope your husband realizes how lucky he is. I've been searching the property for ramps, but haven't been lucky. We have tons of ferns, but I don't know which are the edible ones (any help is appreciated). And of course I only have my 4 little morels. I was thinking about extending my search area today. Now I have to choose between planting my garden (think fresh tomatoes and potatoes in August) or go hunting for goodies. Sat May 19 05:48:28 -0700 2007 2583068 12631 dinin and dishin 8 2583831 It is too late for ferns in the GTA, they are all up, fan shaped, 12" high. Further north they can be gathered until June, if they are still at the small curly stage, at ground level. As for variety, I have not had a problem in Ontario. If in doubt, I'll taste a sample and reject if too bitter. (I'm sure someone will tell me I'm in grave danger, but I'm still here!) Look for wild leeks (I don't like the American term, ramp) in shaded damp or boggy areas. This the ideal weekend to look for morels, as the rains have induced fruiting and they need a few days to attain size, but not too long, as the insects will find them. Good hunting! Sat May 19 07:14:59 -0700 2007 2583721 56131 jayt90 8 2584189 The Leeks are found in boggy hardwood stands, not in the wet patches themselves, but on the on drier hillocks there. They establish themselves in the matt floor of the woods.Use a dandelion tool or a heavy duty gonly few inches deep. Look for trilliums. If you find good patches of trilliums, chances are better than 75 percent that you've also found leeks. I take only a few every few square yards and none that are enmeshed with the trilliums for obvious reasons. Here is a caution - don't be seen from the road with your trowel and bag of goodies, else the patch will be cleaned out for sure. Now that I've found them, my plan is to enjoy a few now and then and to keep the stock healthy. As to morels, I'm still looking. Sat May 19 10:17:59 -0700 2007 2583721 55318 DockPotato 8 2584450 I've been trying to get a patch of ramps started in my little woods. It looks like just the kind of habitat for them. I planted some last year and they've come up this year. I planted more a week ago. With luck, in a couple of years I'll be able to harvest! Morels - seriously - I've never found this many before. And I've hunted, believe me. Have no clue why they've suddenly gone bonkers. This is the same spot I always look and I usually find 3 or 4 total. Not complaining. Sat May 19 12:18:52 -0700 2007 2583721 12383 Nyleve 3 2583750 I lived in Helsinki for five years and false morels were piled high in the market places. The first time I bought them, I asked my next door neighbor(who went to the Univ. of Toronto) how he prepared them and he asked me if I knew that they were poisonous. I was floored. He was a biochemist and on the board of the Finnish Gastronomic Society(What Fun!) and he told me about drying and boiling to remove the toxins. Thanks for the tips about carcinogenic properties. Heading out to look for morels right now, will leave the false ones alone. A nice life philosophy! Sat May 19 06:19:37 -0700 2007 2580488 93538 Passadumkeg 2 2584589 Congratulations (and, damn you)! Years ago at L'Auberge Gavroche (RIP), I had a potage des escargots with morels. You might want to try that. I don't have a recipe, unfortunately, but it shouldn't be difficult to wing it. Sat May 19 13:34:05 -0700 2007 2579612 91415 hungry_pangolin 1 2584648 try Harvest Wagon on Younge directly south of the Summerhill liquor store Sat May 19 14:11:56 -0700 2007 2543849 99826 kateinkigali 1 2584961 I live in Oro Medonte just north of Barrie and spotted a morel today whilst out riding my horse. After putting the young fella in his stall with some treats I hustled back with my little bag and found a total of 12 morels. When I was a kid my Dad and I used to find morels in the woods north of Owen Sound. I haven't picked or had any since then although I often think of them and always remember how divine they tasted after my Dad sliced and sauteed them in butter. We used to find puffballs too. I'm pretty sure the ones I picked today are morels and are safe to eat, but I must admit I'm not 100% sure, but on the other hand I'd hate to waste them. Sat May 19 17:10:28 -0700 2007 2543849 99852 KarenA 2 2585092 They are shaped like a thumb sticking up, with a sponge-like surface. False morels are more like an inverted sponge, and more of a mushroom head. Sat May 19 18:22:14 -0700 2007 2584961 56131 jayt90 2 2585165 Nyleve posted a photo of here cache a couple of posts up. Yours may be darker, but the if the shape and look are the same, you are okay. JayT is right, false morels look completely different. Sat May 19 19:06:01 -0700 2007 2584961 12631 dinin and dishin 3 2586345 We lightly sauteed the morels in butter until just brown and a little crispy and they were delish, just like I remember from years ago, i'm hooked now.... Sun May 20 13:05:00 -0700 2007 2585165 99852 KarenA 2 3691122 I haven't had puffballs for years. Mind you when I was a kid I was never interested in eating them because it was so much more fun to wait until they turned black and you could make the "smoke" come out! Thu May 15 13:36:07 -0700 2008 2584961 156252 dory 1 2604753 Thanks to all. We just found a small batch ourselves, and within the city. Made an excellent risotto. Will go back for more real soon now. Next foray will be NW of T.O. Sat May 26 14:59:13 -0700 2007 2543849 96383 yaddayadda 2 2606357 Today's rainfall should lead to a fresh crop once the sun comes out. At least that's what I'm counting on in order to get my annual fix. Sun May 27 14:00:23 -0700 2007 2604753 12631 dinin and dishin 3 2606677 I'm out there tomorrow for sure. But it's probably going to be the last gasp, if they do come up. It's getting pretty warm. Sun May 27 17:21:12 -0700 2007 2606357 12383 Nyleve 1 2607659 Just checking in to say thanks! This board inspired me to go for a hike (near Barrie) and I found a gold mine of Morels! I cooked them up yesterday and will again tonight! Delicious... Thanks! I also found some "chicken of the woods", but didnt take it cause I didnt know what it was until I got home! (It was neat just to find it!) Mon May 28 08:44:22 -0700 2007 2543849 70173 JonasBrand 2 4699140 hey jonas i live in barrie and ive been taking my daughter out to try and find some morels , weve only found 2 ..can you please point in the direction you found those morels near barrie...you would make our weekend...please get back to me.. take care Tue May 19 19:50:31 -0700 2009 2607659 294290 parabolic 1 2608371 I am sorry to report that today's hunt yielded zilch. A couple of rotten semi-recognizable bits of old morels but nothing, nada, zero for picking. I suspect that the season is over. It's been too warm, then too dry, and now it looks like it will be too warm again. Plus the oak leaves are bigger than a mouse's ear - so it's over folks. Mon May 28 14:52:53 -0700 2007 2543849 12383 Nyleve 2 2613104 My neighbour, claims he routinely finds morels in High Park (Downtown Toronto) and Rouge Park (Scarborough). Says best places to look are in shady areas near old oak trees. Wed May 30 08:04:44 -0700 2007 2608371 73936 Finnegan 1 3664101 Anyone spotted any yet this year? Wed May 07 05:42:27 -0700 2008 2543849 98493 JamieK 2 3686087 I live about 30 mins outside of toronto and have been out looking everyday for the last week and haven't spotted any yet. this is my first year looking for them so I don't have any secret spots yet, so I am unsure if I am looking in the wrong spots or if I'm just a bit to early my grandfather used hunt them all the time but i was to young to be interested and unfortunately he took his secret spots to the grave.... Wed May 14 09:27:07 -0700 2008 3664101 192172 dano bannano 2 3698631 About an hour west of Toronto...4 to 5 pounds of luscious yellows, large and firm. Sun May 18 12:06:44 -0700 2008 3664101 193280 the_nthian 3 3699384 What type of terrain or environment? There was lots of rain today, so many of us will be looking tomorrow. Sun May 18 17:52:22 -0700 2008 3698631 56131 jayt90 3 3719782 We live in Toronto and today we pick probably 4 lbs. of morels on our dog walk. It was a wooded area, got some there last year, but, not near the yield as this year. Just going to dry my over flow for later use. Having Chicken in a Morel cream sauce for dinner. Sun May 25 14:56:05 -0700 2008 3698631 152198 maxandrick 2 3725566 I've picked about 15 so far this year at our cottage on Christian Island (south of Midland). Both yellows and blacks. None so far yet in my usual spot "near" Uxbride. They are a little late this year - still a lot half-frees and false morels in woods...hoping to tuck into more in the next few weeks as my kids are getting bored of eating wild leeks... Tue May 27 18:23:04 -0700 2008 3664101 172638 bdzyngel 3 3725758 just for the record, Christian Island is north of Midland. Our cottage is on the mainland south of Christian Island and haven't found a thing yet but still looking. Tue May 27 19:33:31 -0700 2008 3725566 98493 JamieK 4 3726991 Ha - yes, you're right, but because we are on the boat so much and need to go northeast around awenda to get to Midland, I think of it as being North! This is definitely a weird year for them - the usual spots on the island are only producing sporadically... Happy hunting... Wed May 28 08:40:53 -0700 2008 3725758 172638 bdzyngel 1 3665733 as a matter of fact, I just came in from marking a few in the back yard which has produced a few the last couple of years ... we are about an hour east of toronto Wed May 07 13:31:07 -0700 2008 2543849 27645 Lefty 2 3666580 Really? I'm about an hour east-ish of Toronto too. I thought it felt a bit cold out still...I should check my secret spot! Very exciting. Wed May 07 17:40:27 -0700 2008 3665733 12383 Nyleve 3 3669743 I'm up in Bruce and pulled a few from my spot a week and a half ago. The bulbs were smallish but the leaves were fine and the taste was great. You're south so I'm thinking yous are well on. Enjoy. Thu May 08 14:57:58 -0700 2008 3666580 55318 DockPotato 4 3670277 Hmm, I think you're referring to your ramps here rather than morels. Thu May 08 17:46:03 -0700 2008 3669743 98493 JamieK 5 3670973 Gulp! Fri May 09 03:12:32 -0700 2008 3670277 55318 DockPotato 1 3689107 Morels can now be found at Whole Foods (Yorkville) for the season. Have to say though, don't think they were stored well, they looked kinda mushy (they put them on on styrofoam-type trays then convered them in plastic. How long should fresh morels last when properly stored? Thu May 15 06:01:14 -0700 2008 2543849 156466 Northern Light 1 3726370 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/519044#3686120 Wed May 28 04:42:21 -0700 2008 2543849 192172 dano bannano 1 4651998 I used to pick morels in Leith Ontario, just down the shore-line from downtown Owen Sound Ont. There was a golf course there at the time but is gone now, I beleive. If the wooded area is still there and hasn't been developed, I'm sure morels can still be found in abundance!! Mon May 04 06:16:33 -0700 2009 2543849 289207 max08 2 4699153 how long ago did you used to pick there.....and there were large numbers of them..i want to head there this weekend..im doing a trip with my daughter.. Tue May 19 19:54:20 -0700 2009 4651998 294290 parabolic 1 4670991 I have found what look like Morels in my downtown Toronto backyard.I am curious if someone can confirm from my pictures that they are the edible variety. Sun May 10 11:40:54 -0700 2009 2543849 291540 ant1 2 4671395 ant1-Those certainly look like black morels (Morchella elata), so they would be edible. You are very, very lucky! SWS Sun May 10 15:16:53 -0700 2009 4670991 50683 Splendid Wine Snob 3 4672633 Thanks Splendid! Yes after further research on line I pegged them as edible and will be cooking them up tonight. Mon May 11 06:11:50 -0700 2009 4671395 291540 ant1 4 4690783 ant1- Just did my own research: I too struck it lucky! Last spring a very large tree died on our rural pty outside Campbellford (not yet felled). Recently we have 'mushrooms' popping up in the surrounding lawn: black morels/Morchella elata, judging from your photos (& others). Would like to know: at what point does one harvest? And how to store them? (In a paper bag) but at RT? And how long can one store them prior to cooking? Sun May 17 00:32:15 -0700 2009 4672633 293363 lin60 5 4692197 I would keep them no more than two or three days. If you suspect insects at the root, kosher them, but rinse off all the salt. I like a simple preparation, in butter, or as a filling in a French omelet. Sun May 17 16:05:36 -0700 2009 4690783 56131 jayt90 6 4692705 jayt90 & ant1...THXS! I halved, then soaked them in salt water. Harvested today - feast tomorrow! When I first noticed them a short while ago, they were black (indents) & dirty-white (ridges). Now they are all a honey beige overall but still firm. Cap on the largest is 2-1/2". What with the tree having died only last spring, I'm hoping to harvest next year again? Love all the recipes on CHOW! Especially as we also have ramps, Egyptian onions, 'wild' asparagus along the fencelines awa an established, HUGE asparagus bed. I'm one of those tender-hearted tho': cannot bear to harvest (& chomp on) fiddleheads. Same applies to 'edible' flowers. Sun May 17 19:26:29 -0700 2009 4692197 293363 lin60 7 4692760 Fiddleheads are very widespread and not in danger...unless we are too reckless! The morels will continue to grow beneath the soil under your tree, but may not come up every year. The morel mycelia is apparently very widespread, but won't fruit every year in every spot. Sun May 17 19:49:43 -0700 2009 4692705 56131 jayt90 3 4700828 These definitely are not black morels. They are in fact white morels (or early yellows depending on the book). The pits in Blacks are much different as is their stalk. They're still edible though. Very tasty! Wed May 20 10:57:52 -0700 2009 4671395 294535 dr_flie 4 4703326 Hmmm, well I think its somewhat hard to determine their exact phylogeny based on the small photos, but indeed they are edible whether they are Morchella elata, Morchella angusticeps or like you mentioned possibly even Morchella esculenta., but I am certainly no mushroom expert! SWS Thu May 21 08:15:42 -0700 2009 4700828 50683 Splendid Wine Snob 2 4679549 I'm curious (and very jealous) about your backyard. What types of trees are growing back there? I have a lot of mushrooms in my yard, but never morels. I hope you enjoyed your black morels and keep your fingers crossed for next spring. Wed May 13 07:55:24 -0700 2009 4670991 52341 rld 3 4692142 Lin60 I harvested them when I found them, no idea how long they could of held out before loosing to the critters or being trampled under foot (I have a 5 yr old).I cooked them the next day, I stored them in a paper bag in the fridge. rld I have a pear tree in the back yard. Sun May 17 15:47:42 -0700 2009 4679549 291540 ant1 4 4699127 hey folks im in the barrie area..ive been looking for the past few days with my daughter and found 2 black morels...i have the next 4 days off work and im ready to cover some serious ground...does anybody in the area know of any good spots or can point me in the right direction...looking for any help thanks and good luck Tue May 19 19:46:17 -0700 2009 4692142 294290 parabolic 5 4699195 Look for an aging tree, oak, elm, maple, fruitwood. Look for land that was burned out in previous years. Look in areas you would not expect to find anything. I found my first on a roadside, near some maple trees. They haven't returned to that area. The mycelia is very widespread, almost everywhere, but it will only fruit in late spring, after lots of rain, and in areas with ash or lots of rotting wood. Tue May 19 20:09:17 -0700 2009 4699127 56131 jayt90 5 4700865 My wife and I have been picking the past couple of weeks north of you and have found lots of morels. The blacks are on their way out so you won't be able to find many of them. Half-free's are plentiful right now (make sure you don't confuse them with the Wrinkled Caps which have a cottony substance in the stalk) and the whites/yellows are growing now as well. As for where to look, there isn't really a trick. Jayt90 is correct with the trees, but even if you're in a forest full of them, you could still walk for miles without finding them. Persistence is key. Once you do find your spot though, you should be able to collect a lot. (i.e. when you find one, you can usually find more) I'm attaching a pic of some of our Saturday haul. Wed May 20 11:05:51 -0700 2009 4699127 294535 dr_flie 6 4701918 My wife and I just took over a farm property near Wiarton, and harvested our first Morels on the 16th They were growing on a grass path and in the middle of a shade lawn. Can't wait to look for more. Bound to have leeks and wild ginger in the woods, and a good crop of watercress Wed May 20 16:14:32 -0700 2009 4700865 294636 countryfolk