The Ultimate Guide to Finding Morel Mushrooms in Your Subdivision
As a kid, I never knew that folks hunted morel mushrooms in the woods. My dad and I went for walks in the spring, mostly so he could smoke, but one night, we found a pile of morels. I had no idea what they were, but dad was excited. We made baskets out of our shirts and brought the morels home. Over the years, we found more mushrooms on our walks, never going more than 15 minutes from home. If you want to find urban morels this spring, here’s where to look.
Hunting for Morels in the Woods vs. Your Neighborhood
Where I live, there’s a nature preserve and hiking trials with north-facing hills and deadfall—perfect places for morels. It’s still urban, but I live near a river with public access to bottomland forest. However, experienced hunters get to the mushrooms before anyone else does. There’s more “pressure” in the timber no matter where you live during springtime, and experienced hunters know exactly where to find the morels and pick them first.
On the flip side, there’s no pressure in your neighborhood. For instance, I’ve never seen another mushroom hunter while walking my dog. There are good places to find small patches, and sometimes you’ll find enough morels to fill your hat. Searching in your neighborhood gives you a better chance than in the woods with experienced hunters.
Also, get permission from property owners before hunting in a neighborhood. Don’t trespass.
Focus on Runoff Areas and Ditches
Most subdivisions have drainage systems that funnel water away when it snows or rains. Where I live, there are interconnected ditches about 20 feet deep that stay moist. Each has a mix of live and deadfall trees where I can find morels each spring. Drainage ditches are ideal locations for morels because they are often wet but also get sunlight. Check around the edges of brush piles where neighbors dump yard waste, and look around dead trees.
The flat ground around the top of the ditches is also a hot spot for mushrooms. If it’s a wet spring, these areas get a lot of water and sunlight. Morels can grow quickly but also rot fast. They can also get clipped by lawnmowers.
Hedgerows Hold Moisture
The neighborhood I grew up in had a line of bushes that ran the entire length of our street. Morels grew under those hedges every spring. The ground under bushes stays wet because it’s shaded most of the day. But if the sun hits it, there’s a good opportunity for morels to grow.
Grass Patches Between Buildings
If you live in a metro area with closely spaced houses and apartments, search the small strips of grass and dirt between buildings to find morels. These patches stay wet in the spring because they don’t get much air or sunlight, making them ideal for mushroom growth.
If you live in a suburban area, check run-down or overgrown locations near your neighborhood for morels. On our block as kids, there was a property owner with old wooden garages surrounded by unkempt grass and brush. We always found mushrooms growing on the bare spots at the edge of the overgrowth. Sometimes we had to push back the brush with our feet to reveal a morel, but we usually came away with a small bounty.
A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.