Prefers wooded areas with ash and elm trees. The earliest true morel to appear, often two weeks before the common morels appear. Prefers forested areas with ash trees. Seldom found growing with other morel species. Mild flavor when young, stronger flavor when mature.
Mature specimens are often large, fragile and crumbly.
Very difficult to see on sunny days. Tolerates heavy, repeated pickings better than other morel species. Emerges in mid-season when black morels are maturing. Most popular and most common morel species. Sometimes argued to be three separate species because of variations during the three stages of maturity.