I live in blue River Oregon. My property is burn area is the altitude right? Or do I need to go higher? I didn't know that the buds look like that I think I crushed some
Yes! Looks like Blue River, OR is at around 1,000' elevation - I would suspect that there are already signs of burn morels beginning to flush out on your property. They can be really tough to see at first ... but once you get the search image they'll likely start to jump out at you. Checking on the sunny slopes and around burnt trees/roots is a great place to start. Let me know if you end up finding some! And good luck out there!
Great video. I have been checking some burns and no luck at finding any morels even though i do find the associated cups. I think I have been in a different part of the burn you are in but a different area if a clearcut was part of it.
Those cups are definitely a good sign! My suspicion is that you may have a little better luck driving further down the road. The area I'm exploring in this video isn't directly connected to a clear cut, but I remember passing an area similar to what you're describing on the way in. Good luck out there - and let me know what you find!
PS - please keep me posted on your second year burn experience - I am super interested in that and have yet to pursue anything but first year burns (but I have heard a lot of success stories from second year sites, so my interest is piqued!)
Last year I visited a 2nd year burn in Eastern washington in mid May. Picked for about 1hr & found about 20. They mid to small size. So not full size. Elevation was around 2,800 ft. It's seemed like they just started to pop but the numbers compared to the year before where way down 90%. In the same location same altitude 3 weeks earlier thought. I was picking 8-10lbs in 4hrs of picking... I'm trying another 2nd yr burn this yr that was a later summer burn. Hoping to have good finding. I my self also waiting for warmer nights. In about 4 weeks I'll be in to testing my hypothesis.
Nice - that is super interesting! I've heard that the 2nd year burns can be a little tricky because it seems to be somewhat dependent on what happened the prior year. For instance, I've heard that if the fruiting conditions weren't ideal the first year, they can really boom the second. I would be very interested to hear about what you find out there this year. Thanks for sharing - really appreciate the insight!
Interesting, that the Burnt Morel you cut open didn’t have a hollow stipe but kind of looked like the inside of a Gyromitra. Is it usual for this kind of Morel?
Yes - it is really interesting because we often see a chambered or internally folded stipe. Some people claim that this indicates that we're looking at Morchella exuberans (although it is very difficult to determine conclusively without DNA sequencing)
Did you have to drive deep into the forest roads to get to the burn sites? Researching burns is hard because I am alway so uncertain if the roads are open and conditions 😅
Visiting these burns does often involve at least a little bit of travel on forest roads. This one wasn't as deep as some, and had the benefit of being at low elevation... but the other side of that coin is that it's often the hard-to-get-to spots that offer the biggest rewards!
The season generally starts at our lowest elevations (the burn I'm in here is under 1000') and then, as the season progresses, we work our way to higher and higher elevations. This primarily has to do with soil temperature. Optimal soil temp is generally between 50-60°F (10-15°C)
Perfect upload time for my morning cuppa tea! I'm fascinated by this post-burn mycology. That's interesting about the lichens possibly having a role to play in the ascomycetes fire survival. Symbiosis runs deep! That tree lungwort was a mighty specimen, never seen anything quite like that here, and the shot straight after was exactly like a Bob Ross painting. Beautiful place, thank you for sharing the wider landscape too. x
Awesome! Nothing like starting the day with mushrooms and some nature, right?! I'm super intrigued by everything that is going on in that post-fire environment... so much happening out there! And I agree on that Lungwort - I keep getting flashes of that thing! It was really stunning and I kind of wish I had spent more time with it. It is one of the cyanolichens that seems like such an incredible little ecosystem of green algae, cyanobacteria, and fungi... and it has a really long history of use.
@@MushroomTrail No better way to start the day, especially when it's beautiful and bright outside. Just came back in from feeding the birds breakfast. Those starlings are so clever, one of them does the most uncanny impression of a buzzard. I know they can be a pain over in the states, but they are a red listed species here. That lichen though, yeah, I agree, the way all of those different microscopic creatures find a balance to make that kind of beauty together is something the whole of humanity should aspire to. I mean, I know people say with some lichens it's more like algae farming and imprisonment (an anthropocentric view if you ask me), but I think the science has proven that even though the algae and fungi and cyanobacteria can grow on their own, they are nothing quite as magical and resilient without that thallus! The whole subject of ethnobotany is so important too, I wish I could walk through the forest and know exactly what my ancestors knew. x
Nice! Starlings are such fascinating birds - so much personality! And interesting to learn about them being red listed in UK.- I know that we saw a significant population decline since 1970s here. Crazy language abilities that one has, right? Interestingly, I read that the Tree Lungwort is red listed in Switzerland (and, of course, a massive corporation is working hard to get a collecting permit so that they can use it in a cough syrup!) Always love your insights and comments - really appreciate you tuning in!
@@MushroomTrail Yeah they are something else! I love the fact that all birds are dinosaurs. When I'm sat there with my eyes closed I can hear them all strategically chatting to one another as they land all around me on the fences, it's like velociraptors in Jurassic Park, but these guys just want my mealworms. The only word I've said to them so far is hello, because some of them are very nervous and when I look at them directly they fly off like "NOPE!" haha. It would be ridiculously funny if they mimicked me, they certainly have the capacity. I'm being respectful though, because I'm a predator to them, with eyes on the front of my head, not the sides like most herbivores... Also, if you can get a hold of a copy, read the book 'Vanishing Lichens' by David Richardson. My grandad gave me a copy just before he died. He was a key part of the British Lichen Society for many years back in the day. That does not surprise me about the cough syrup applications, but people don't realise lichens are not fast growing, Evernia prunastri like 1-2 mm per year, and that is gathered for perfume more today than ever I think? We all know who is going to win that battle though unfortunately. x
You'll have to let me know if those Starlings ever end up greeting you with a "Hello" one of these mornings - totally possible! I'll add that book to the reading list - looks super interesting! I was reading in 'The Fungal Pharmacy' that Tree Lungwort grows a tad more than Evernia, but still super slow growth at 4.8mm per year ... which could put that Lungwort in the vid at over 30 years old! Crazy to think that this particular one had quite a range of use - indigenous tribes here used it for respiratory ailments, while in the 17th & 18th centuries European & Siberian monasteries used it for beer making (before hops!)
You and me both! Really enjoyed connecting with you out there in the burn - such a great conversation! I'm sure our paths will cross again! Happy Trails!
I live in blue River Oregon. My property is burn area is the altitude right? Or do I need to go higher? I didn't know that the buds look like that I think I crushed some
Yes! Looks like Blue River, OR is at around 1,000' elevation - I would suspect that there are already signs of burn morels beginning to flush out on your property. They can be really tough to see at first ... but once you get the search image they'll likely start to jump out at you. Checking on the sunny slopes and around burnt trees/roots is a great place to start. Let me know if you end up finding some! And good luck out there!
Thanks for sharing this great video with us for April.
You're welcome! I love putting these videos out and really appreciate you tuning in!
Great video. I have been checking some burns and no luck at finding any morels even though i do find the associated cups. I think I have been in a different part of the burn you are in but a different area if a clearcut was part of it.
Those cups are definitely a good sign! My suspicion is that you may have a little better luck driving further down the road. The area I'm exploring in this video isn't directly connected to a clear cut, but I remember passing an area similar to what you're describing on the way in. Good luck out there - and let me know what you find!
I was out at second year burn today. No luck, but it also felt early for the altitude and I'm guessing the soil is just too cold at night still.
Exactly - I totally agree! Those overnight lows are just a hair too low! But it is showing a lot of promise and potential 🤞
PS - please keep me posted on your second year burn experience - I am super interested in that and have yet to pursue anything but first year burns (but I have heard a lot of success stories from second year sites, so my interest is piqued!)
Last year I visited a 2nd year burn in Eastern washington in mid May. Picked for about 1hr & found about 20. They mid to small size. So not full size. Elevation was around 2,800 ft. It's seemed like they just started to pop but the numbers compared to the year before where way down 90%. In the same location same altitude 3 weeks earlier thought. I was picking 8-10lbs in 4hrs of picking...
I'm trying another 2nd yr burn this yr that was a later summer burn. Hoping to have good finding. I my self also waiting for warmer nights. In about 4 weeks I'll be in to testing my hypothesis.
Nice - that is super interesting! I've heard that the 2nd year burns can be a little tricky because it seems to be somewhat dependent on what happened the prior year. For instance, I've heard that if the fruiting conditions weren't ideal the first year, they can really boom the second. I would be very interested to hear about what you find out there this year. Thanks for sharing - really appreciate the insight!
Interesting, that the Burnt Morel you cut open didn’t have a hollow stipe but kind of looked like the inside of a Gyromitra. Is it usual for this kind of Morel?
Yes - it is really interesting because we often see a chambered or internally folded stipe. Some people claim that this indicates that we're looking at Morchella exuberans (although it is very difficult to determine conclusively without DNA sequencing)
Did you have to drive deep into the forest roads to get to the burn sites? Researching burns is hard because I am alway so uncertain if the roads are open and conditions 😅
Visiting these burns does often involve at least a little bit of travel on forest roads. This one wasn't as deep as some, and had the benefit of being at low elevation... but the other side of that coin is that it's often the hard-to-get-to spots that offer the biggest rewards!
That cup fungi looks like a dogs nostrils thanks for sharing mushluv
I agree! Appreciate you tuning in - mushluv!
What elevation do you find morels at? New to this. Thanks
The season generally starts at our lowest elevations (the burn I'm in here is under 1000') and then, as the season progresses, we work our way to higher and higher elevations. This primarily has to do with soil temperature. Optimal soil temp is generally between 50-60°F (10-15°C)
I wish I was there brother! I love spring in the great PNW
The Spring is, indeed, a glorious time here in the PNW! But it will still be here waiting for you in the years to come!
Perfect upload time for my morning cuppa tea! I'm fascinated by this post-burn mycology. That's interesting about the lichens possibly having a role to play in the ascomycetes fire survival. Symbiosis runs deep! That tree lungwort was a mighty specimen, never seen anything quite like that here, and the shot straight after was exactly like a Bob Ross painting. Beautiful place, thank you for sharing the wider landscape too. x
Awesome! Nothing like starting the day with mushrooms and some nature, right?! I'm super intrigued by everything that is going on in that post-fire environment... so much happening out there! And I agree on that Lungwort - I keep getting flashes of that thing! It was really stunning and I kind of wish I had spent more time with it. It is one of the cyanolichens that seems like such an incredible little ecosystem of green algae, cyanobacteria, and fungi... and it has a really long history of use.
@@MushroomTrail No better way to start the day, especially when it's beautiful and bright outside. Just came back in from feeding the birds breakfast. Those starlings are so clever, one of them does the most uncanny impression of a buzzard. I know they can be a pain over in the states, but they are a red listed species here. That lichen though, yeah, I agree, the way all of those different microscopic creatures find a balance to make that kind of beauty together is something the whole of humanity should aspire to. I mean, I know people say with some lichens it's more like algae farming and imprisonment (an anthropocentric view if you ask me), but I think the science has proven that even though the algae and fungi and cyanobacteria can grow on their own, they are nothing quite as magical and resilient without that thallus! The whole subject of ethnobotany is so important too, I wish I could walk through the forest and know exactly what my ancestors knew. x
Nice! Starlings are such fascinating birds - so much personality! And interesting to learn about them being red listed in UK.- I know that we saw a significant population decline since 1970s here. Crazy language abilities that one has, right?
Interestingly, I read that the Tree Lungwort is red listed in Switzerland (and, of course, a massive corporation is working hard to get a collecting permit so that they can use it in a cough syrup!)
Always love your insights and comments - really appreciate you tuning in!
@@MushroomTrail Yeah they are something else! I love the fact that all birds are dinosaurs. When I'm sat there with my eyes closed I can hear them all strategically chatting to one another as they land all around me on the fences, it's like velociraptors in Jurassic Park, but these guys just want my mealworms. The only word I've said to them so far is hello, because some of them are very nervous and when I look at them directly they fly off like "NOPE!" haha. It would be ridiculously funny if they mimicked me, they certainly have the capacity. I'm being respectful though, because I'm a predator to them, with eyes on the front of my head, not the sides like most herbivores... Also, if you can get a hold of a copy, read the book 'Vanishing Lichens' by David Richardson. My grandad gave me a copy just before he died. He was a key part of the British Lichen Society for many years back in the day. That does not surprise me about the cough syrup applications, but people don't realise lichens are not fast growing, Evernia prunastri like 1-2 mm per year, and that is gathered for perfume more today than ever I think? We all know who is going to win that battle though unfortunately. x
You'll have to let me know if those Starlings ever end up greeting you with a "Hello" one of these mornings - totally possible! I'll add that book to the reading list - looks super interesting!
I was reading in 'The Fungal Pharmacy' that Tree Lungwort grows a tad more than Evernia, but still super slow growth at 4.8mm per year ... which could put that Lungwort in the vid at over 30 years old! Crazy to think that this particular one had quite a range of use - indigenous tribes here used it for respiratory ailments, while in the 17th & 18th centuries European & Siberian monasteries used it for beer making (before hops!)
Keep up the good work...
Thanks, will do! Always appreciate you tuning in - Happy Trails!
Also do you do any burn guided forages? Lol 🤑
I don't currently offer any guided foraging trips ... but that's a great idea! Perhaps at a future date!
@@MushroomTrail Well I am in SW Washington so if you do, I would def be interested! Thanks for the reply :)
Awesome video! Can't wait to go back to the burn! -LF
You and me both! Really enjoyed connecting with you out there in the burn - such a great conversation! I'm sure our paths will cross again! Happy Trails!