The morphological changes accompanying the dissolution of polyethylene single crystals in solvent have been correlated with the temperature of annealing. By this method, the solution temperatures of crystals of finite thicknesses were accurately determined. Based on these results, a surface free energy of 58 ergs/cm2was calculated for the fold surface of polyethylene lamellae crystallized at 80°C from dilute solution. In addition, several novel morphological features were observed at intermediate stages of crystal dissolution which may aid in the understanding of folded‐chain crystallization.