Keys to the Kingdoms

  How to Find Morel Mushrooms  by Spotting Their Favorite Trees in the Eastern U.S. If you're out hunting for morel mushrooms in the Eastern U.S., knowing which trees these tasty fungi like to hang out with can make your search a lot easier. Plus, with some trees getting hit hard by pests and diseases, there's actually more dead wood around for morels to grow on. Here's a simple guide to help you spot the trees that are best buds with morels. 1. Ash Trees - Bark:  Ash trees have a cool diamond pattern in their bark that's easier to spot on big, old trees. Younger trees are smoother and not so bumpy. - Buds and Leaves:  The buds are dark and fuzzy, and the leaves are made up of 5 to 9 smaller leaves all lined up next to each other. - Looking from Far Away: Big ash trees have a nice round shape at the top, like a big, leafy umbrella. Emerald Ash Borer - Why Morels Like Them: Ash trees are having a tough time because of the emerald ash borer, a bug that's killing them ...