Early Morels in SWVA

Readers in the area are reporting early morel sightings in 2024, with confirmed discoveries in portions of Southwest Virginia.

The Great Morel Map charts morel finds across the country with photographs and timestamps. Find the map here. There are 18 morel species found in the United States, with black morels (Morchella elata) often presenting early in the Central Virginia region.

Bruce Ingram writes about the coveted fungi for the Department of Wildlife Resources:

The Morel: Virginia’s Favorite Mushroom

Among locavores and foragers, the morel mushroom holds almost cult status as it adds zest to just about any meat or egg entrée. Eagle Rock’s Dave Garland is one of the many Virginians who regard this fungi as a treasure.

“The black morel is probably the most common variety in our state, and I have found them as early as late March and as late as mid-May,” he said. “Basically, there’s a five-week window, which begins when the soil temperature reaches about 50 degrees and there’s enough moisture to stimulate fruiting.”

Another factor is the presence of certain trees.

“Among the trees, morels seem to grow best around yellow poplars, ashes, elms, and sometimes oaks,” continued Garland. “Perhaps the number one spot would be around a dying elm. Morels seem to undergo this desperation fruiting when this tree starts to die from Dutch elm disease or from some other cause.”