Early morel mushrooms emerge after warm, wet start to summer

Early morel mushrooms have been spotted in Finland following a warm and rainy start to summer, according to the Finnish Fungal Society.

The first finds were reported in North and South Karelia on 4 June, with the North Karelia sighting considered exceptionally early for the region. Tea von Bonsdorff, vice chair of the society, noted that such early appearances are unusual in northern areas.

Morels, chanterelles, and boletes are now appearing in parts of southern Finland, where warm temperatures and rainfall have created ideal conditions. Von Bonsdorff advised checking familiar foraging spots, as mushroom growth can be highly localised.

Chanterelles, in particular, thrive in warm, wet weather. Their season is long, with flushes typically appearing in July, early August, and early October. Mild winters have even allowed for winter harvests, with some chanterelles persisting until February.

Morels include several edible species, such as the common morel and the pine morel. The common morel grows in moist forests near spruce, with a pale to dark brown cap and a light, net-like stem. The pine morel, with its reddish-brown cap, is often found in pine forests and lichen-rich areas.

Mushroom sightings can be tracked via the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility’s laji.fi website.