Let’s Go Mushrooming

            Spring has had a few setbacks in arriving, with the latest low pressure event dropping temperatures and bringing in cold precipitation, but it appears that spring is finally here. The trees are budding and flowering, the grass has come from dormancy to sprout new growth and the once clearly visible forest floor is becoming obscured by green foliage of the spring plant revival. With the change of season comes the opportunity to hunt for and experience wild edibles. One of the most treasured wild edible, here in Ohio, is the Morel mushroom.

Every spring a short window opens for mushroom hunters to “catch” their quarry. At the end of April and for most of May, when soil, air and water conditions are right, the fruiting body of the Morel grows. This is the mushroom and it requires soil temperatures of around 56 degrees Fahrenheit at 6 inches deep and moist condition. The air temperature produces the mushroom best at between 70 and 80 degrees. When these conditions are met, it’s time to hit the forestland in search of fungal treasures.

In making the connection, out West in coastal California, I would eagerly anticipate the end of the winter rainy season. As temperatures rose the conditions became favorable for mushroom growth; the targeted fungi, the Orange Chanterelle.

Now every area has legend and lore that can guide or distract the fungi hunter. In California, while hunting the Chanterelle, legend has it to hunt for this specie of mushroom in areas of forest that have been subject to fire. It is claimed that the Chanterelle mushroom will be readily found in areas of forest in the third to fifth year of regrowth after a fire. This claim has been “fruitful” in my experience and resulted in my sauté pan full of buttery tasting mushrooms.

Here in Ohio, local lore holds that the best place to find Morel mushrooms is in the forest floor duff (bark shedding) of the Shaggy Bark Hickory Tree. There are several of these trees in the forest surrounding my home that I am keeping an eye on. Local lore also holds that the time to go Morel mushroom hunting is when the leaves of Oak Trees are the size of a squirrel’s ears. Well the Oak leaves are just about that size now and when this school semester is over, my break will be spent on the “hunt”.  Wish me luck!