Morel mushrooms do not grow directly on trees but have a mycorrhizal relationship with certain tree species, meaning they grow around and benefit from the trees' root systems. The main trees associated with morel growth include:
- Elm trees (especially dead or dying elms, such as American elm and slippery elm) are the most commonly mentioned trees linked to morels. Morels often flush heavily around dead and dying elm trees
- Ash trees (white ash and green ash) are also frequently associated with morels, particularly in some regions like the Southeast
- Cottonwood trees are another common association, especially along riverbanks and floodplains where soil conditions are favorable
- Apple trees , especially in old or abandoned orchards, are known to host morels, often around dead or dying trees
- Sycamore trees are noted as good spots for morels, particularly in floodplain areas with disturbed soil
- Tulip poplar trees are also mentioned as a later-season morel habitat
In summary, morels tend to grow around elms, ashes, cottonwoods, apple trees, sycamores, and tulip poplars, with a preference for dead or dying trees in these species
