Is this tree good for a small garden?

No, it is generally too large and aggressive for small spaces.

How do I stop it from spreading?

Regularly remove root suckers as soon as they appear.

Plant guide

Paper mulberry.

Broussonetia papyrifera

Pronounced broo-so-NEE-shee-uh pa-pi-RIF-er-uh

Also known as Aute, Paper Mulberry, Tapa Cloth Tree, Wauke

The paper mulberry is a fast growing tree known for its historical use in making bark cloth and paper. It has a wide, spreading canopy that provides excellent shade in larger landscapes. You will find it is quite adaptable to different soil conditions.

Another photo of Paper mulberry — Photo by Francisco Martínez González (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 30 to 50 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring

Care

Plant this tree in an area with plenty of space to accommodate its rapid growth. Keep an eye out for suckers that may emerge from the roots, as they can spread quickly. Ensure the soil remains moist but well drained for the best results.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to help the tree establish a strong root system.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support seasonal growth.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead wood and shape the canopy.
Repotting: If kept in a container, move it to a larger pot every few years as it outgrows its space.
Soil: Well drained, loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

Safety

People: The milky sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The fruit can be a choking hazard if ingested in large quantities by small children.
Contact allergens: The milky sap may cause contact dermatitis.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in some people.
Edibility: The fruit is edible but often considered bland and can be messy when it drops.

How to identify it

Fuzzy, heart shaped leaves
Variable leaf margins
Rough, sandpapery leaf texture
Small, round, reddish orange fruit
Smooth, greyish brown bark

Height: 8 to 15m
Spread: 6 to 12m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: green, yellow, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, orange, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Root SuckeringCommon
AphidsUncommon
CankerUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Verticillium WiltRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your paper mulberry from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn

Give this tree plenty of space to prevent it from outcompeting your other plants.

Grows well with

Common Elderberry · They share similar moisture requirements in open areas.

Similar species

White Mulberry · It shares a similar growth habit and invasive potential.

Science

Family: Moraceae
Genus: Broussonetia
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: East Asia
Conservation: It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the United States.

It thrives in disturbed areas and forest edges where it can quickly colonize open ground.

Value to wildlife: pollen source, bird food
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: paper making, ornamental, textile production

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this tree good for a small garden?: No, it is generally too large and aggressive for small spaces.
How do I stop it from spreading?: Regularly remove root suckers as soon as they appear.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors French naturalist Pierre Marie Auguste Broussonet, while papyrifera refers to its use in paper production.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the paper mulberry.
The bark was traditionally used to make tapa cloth in the Pacific Islands.
It grows very quickly in disturbed soils.
The tree is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants.

Keep your paper mulberry growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.