Here at Greater Michigan Timber Management we get excited when it comes to spring! Spring means more sunshine, warmer days, longer days, buds and blooms popping on the trees, perennials emerging from the ground, the creeks and the rivers running rapidly, birds chirping exponentially, those tiny little frogs pepping and more opportunity to be outdoors! Many say that their first sign of a Robin means spring is here, but in our backyard the robins stay all year long. I suppose the reason for this is the ample food that our backyard supplies in the form of several native species purposefully planted and allowed to grow near our home. However, when we hear the conk-la-ree of the red winged blackbirds and the roh-roh-roh of our Great Blue Heron who we refere to as Longfellow, and of course the honk-honk-honk of the Canadian Geese...those  are our truly real and extremely welcomed signs and sounds of spring!

  Listen here www.bird-sounds.net/red-winged-blackbird/        
               
                       www.bird-sounds.net/great-blue-heron/ 
                     
                      www.bird-sounds.net/canada-goose/                     

​What are  your sure signs of spring every year?

Michigan is rich with forest land! 
Did you know, Michigan has over 20 million acres of forest? This includes federal, state and private, with 34% of Michigan's forests  held by private forest land owners.

Did you know...Michigan's forests are growing 2 1/2 times more wood than what is being harvested?

Each year Michigan forests grow an additional 1032 million cubic feet . For example, a forest of 500 trees,each with a trunk of at least 5" in diameter,  with each tree representing 53.2 million cubic feet of standing timber, will grow an additional 19.4 trees.
(Annual growth on timbered land averages 55 cubic feet of wood per year)
Most species of trees in Michigan regenerate naturally from seeds, and after harvesting, through root or stump sprouts. In addition , over 30 million trees are planted each year.

Timber, like wildlife, can be stored only to a certain level. As timber ages, nature reclaims some of the trees.  Each year 202 million cubic feet are lost to insects, disease and other natural causes.
 
This is why it is extremely important to actively manage and harvest your standing timber before this occurrence as the value of the standing timber decreases overall. Forest managers, like Greater Michigan Timber Management, help to control the rate of harvest to assure a sustainable supply of forestry resources, both present and future.

March, April and May, It's spring in Michigan!
And May is the time for the popular morel mushroom hunting, here in Northern Michigan.
For a large and growing number of outdoor enthusiasts, searching for this mushroom means many pleasant hours of exploring in the woods during the awaking season of spring. And so, another reason to get outdoors and enjoy the wonderful fresh air and delights of the woods!

What does a morel look like?
The morel is fairly easy to identify *(see photo courtesy thegreatmorel.com) . In appearance, the morel is very similar looking to a sponge. It grows in a cone or conical shape from two to six inches high. The distinguishing features are the tan to brown cap of the morel in the formation of irregular pits and ridges. The stem makes up 1/3 of the mushroom, is paler in color then the cap. The stem is attached to the bottom of the conical cap.

Where do you find morels?
You will find this delicacy in and on the edge of wooded and forested areas. It is somewhat difficult for the beginner to find at first as it blends into the grass and leaves of the surrounding area.  Look for ash, aspen, elm, and oak trees, around which morels often grow. Dead and decaying trees are also a good bet. Early in the season you’ll find them on south-facing slopes and later in the season the will be found on north-facing slopes. Once you find one...slow down, there's more.

What do you do with morels after you find them?
You will want to soak your morels for a couple of hours covered in salted water. This will remove any hidden bugs and will allow the dirt to drop off.
The morel can be fried, stewed, creamed, canned or dried and used to flavor gravies and soups. Simply sauteed in butter is delicious! It does not taste like other mushrooms but rather has its own flavor.

Warning.......before ingesting any mushroom be 100% certain of the identity.
The morel isn't the only other mushroom out there. There are other mushrooms, including the false morel, and others that are toxic and should never, ever, be ingested! 

Want more information about morels?
We found a really helpful and fun website with lots of information regarding morels. You'll see photos of real morels, and some photos of some really Ugly mushrooms that you don't want to eat.
Visit www.thegreatmorel.com 

Our state also has information regarding the morel mushroom.