My theory is that the roots of these trees also are beginning to decay, providing ready nourishment for fungi, including my beloved morels. I've never checked it out, but many morel fanciers claim that abandoned apple orchards are morel hotbeds. I would be cautious about eating morels if pesticides were used in the area, however. Hunting morels in recently logged forests is another variation o the theme of finding morels around moribund trees. Roots left in the soil may support a storing bloom of morels for several years.
Areas ravaged by forest fires also can produce prodigious morel crops.
Aside from these general tips, morel hunting is a matter of wandering about more or less aimlessly, while scanning the forest floor for a glimpse of the spongelike surface of your quarry. Morels rarely grow singly. Where you find one, you'll usually find at least one or two more - sometimes a lot more. When I find a morel, I usually mark the spot by dropping my hat. Then I comb the entire area, walking aback and forth over a patch at least 50 feet square.