John Smalldridge Posted January 8, 2015 Report Share Posted January 8, 2015 I got out for a walk yesterday and inspired by 4rum's oyster postings decided to post a few of my own. By the way, I went to the local market and saw the oyster mushrooms were priced at $2.99 for a whopping 3.5 oz. the first are normal sized oyster mushrooms. The next are really large. The ones on the left of the log are 8 to10 in. My boots in the other photo are size 10.5 . I did harvest a few smaller ones off the log in the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dualsetters Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Lucky guy, its in the tens here now. Next scene morels Off to shovel snow !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4rum Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Really glad to see those photos. You found a BUNCH. Hope you enjoyed them as much as I have been. Great photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted January 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Dualsetters, at least you have morels to find. Eastern N.C. has to be one of the worst morel hunting grounds anywhere. 4rum, hopefully you'll have a good warmup and lots more to harvest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adawg Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 You guys are making me hungry ! Just can't wait for the morels to pop, and I can almost smell those oysters sizzling in butter ! It is 16 here in western Va. this am, up from 6, a couple of days ago .. The long, long wait starts ! Lol ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Not that long a wait. It will be here before you know it. Plus it makes you appreciate it more when you find that fungal treasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SalemScott Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Wow, some of those oysters are huge. As for morels, this being my first year mushroom hunting, I've been wondering if they grow here in eastern Massachusetts. I guess I'll find out in the spring. It's currently 19 degrees here so I'm giving the woods a break this weekend. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted January 11, 2015 Report Share Posted January 11, 2015 No telling when I'll have my annual morel dream during these next few months. Usually it's about some spot about a mile or so beyond an actual local landmark but existing only within my imagination, and I'm trying to find my way back. My guess is that eastern MA is not a hotbed for morels, Sugaree. If you find an area with elm, then you may get lucky. But I think your best chances may be found in some old apple orchard. But beware, some of the large commercial orchards in eastern NA had used a dangerous pesticide --lead arsenate-- for many years. The practice was made illegal --I think during the 1960s-- but some old orchards are now badly polluted. I expect the problem also exists here in PA. My approach has been to test soil for lead... under the supposition that "if no lead then also no arsenic." (It's expensive to test soil for arsenic; needs to done in a lab.) I've tested 4 different orchards, each <= 4 acres. I have found no lead contamination in any of these small plots, adjuncts to larger dairy or corn farms. A study addressing this problem identified one large orchard in eastern upstate NY that had contaminated soil. Morels from such an orchard should not be eaten. Sorry about relating this nightmare... but it's real. Some other types of areas to look for are forests with large Tulip Poplar and/or White Ash. Also, some people collect eastern NA morels under White Pine or Sycamore. And you never know when you just might find a dozen or so growing in ornamental wood chips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4rum Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Been wicked cold here. We're forecast a few days above freezing later this week and into the week end. I may venture out but don't expect to find much. It's been too cold too long. Last few years morels have been in decline here. I found less than a dozen total last year. Seems to get less every year. I have picked bushels. We've only had one really good year in the last 15 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 The forecast here is for lots of rain with above freezing temps for most of the week. I will try to get out and look around for more oysters. I think there may be a chance I'll see some fresh ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4rum Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Wicked cold here. Nasty and dreary. I haven't been to the poplar patch. I think winter has set in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I feel for you forum members in the north/northeast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 We have enough snow now for xx-skiing. As long as it's not too cold, this gets me out into the woods at this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Snowshoes or skis Dave? I know the snow is pretty up there, but around here when it snows, it's a sloppy mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I enjoy xx-skiing. It's good exercise and the sensation of gliding across the snow is enjoyable. I see a lot of different types of animal tracks. Mostly I go out to trails on state game lands, where I usually need to break trail. We've got about 18" on the ground up here and more snow is forecast for Sunday/Monday. This Saturday I plan to ski at a private pay-per facility that offers 25 miles of variably difficult groomed trails. I also maintain a small double-loop path on my 4 acre property for summer walks and winter skiing. South of here, there's not a lot of interest in this activity. Where I live is just about far enough north. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Smalldridge Posted February 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 I'm sure that puts you in great shape for when the mushrooms show up. The thing about looking for mushrooms is that it is not so taxing on the cardio system unles you are in the mountains. Stay safe in the snow Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 That's right, John. When I'm trudging up and down a ridge looking for those elusive Black Morels in April --the first good edibles of pretty much any year around here-- it's the snow in February that I can thank for that last half-mile or so. But "great shape" is a bit over the top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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