2009 Spring Forays Summary

We started the Spring forays with a banger, a large number of Morchella elata in York Forest; they were small and most were left to grow to the delight of many hunters who visited in the following weeks The second foray in Durham was a complete disappointment, only one Verpa came in. We aimed for M. esculenta territory but it was too early for this location. This was the foray where the two gentlemen from Oshawa did a video recording that was published in the Utube.

The foray at Palgrave came next with a thunderstorm and hail to cause its cancellation, but at the insistence of Nick a few hardy waited out the storm and had a short foray. Afterwards all was easy sailing for the rest of the season; moisture conditions and temperatures in the teens were ideal to make morel season 2009 memorable one. Many messages from members and others, plus my observations proved that, in a good year, morels can grow most anywhere.

There were 12 forays, attendance was very good, a high of 36 and low of 6, and we had an average of 23. 1820 esculenta and 195 elata were collected to the delight of seasoned members and new ones, in all 56 species were identified, including a bluish, somewhat oyster-like Lentinus strigosus. Another early find was the Polyporus umbellatus on June 6.

Thanks to the foray leaders who made it all possible and to all the participants who contributed with their enthusiasm to make every foray an enjoyable experience.

We look forward to Summer for chanterelles and to Fall with its abundance and variety of mushrooms. Details of each foray are on our web site.

- Umberto Pascali, Foray Director