My fourth year searching for them and i finally found a place! Few hundred feet off the trail and there it was among the mayapple and waterleaf, i could hardly believe it. Tree ID is HARD and i don't have any tips on that front but i don't think there were any elms around because the (lack of) canopy in the area didn't show any sign of flowers/buds. Ended up with 9 ounces and i left some tiny ones behind that still seemed healthy enough to keep growing.
Shout out to the curious deer that patiently led me right to the spot.
Proud of u
And jealous
thank you!