White mulberry.

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 4 to 8

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of space for its roots and canopy to spread. Keep an eye out for pests like scale or whiteflies during the growing season. Prune during the dormant winter months to maintain a healthy shape.

Watering

Water deeply once established, especially during hot, dry spells.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before new growth starts.

Pruning

Trim back dead or crossing branches in late winter while the tree is dormant.

Repotting

If kept in a container, move to a larger pot every few years to accommodate root growth.

Soil

Well draining loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 40°C

Humidity

30 to 70%

Drought tolerance

High

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 50 to 100 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The milky sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Pets

The plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs, though the sap may cause mild irritation.

Children

The fruit can be messy and stain clothing, and the sap should not be ingested by small children.

Contact allergens

The milky latex sap may cause contact dermatitis in some people.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is highly allergenic and can cause significant hay fever symptoms during the spring.

Edibility

The unripe fruit and milky sap contain compounds that can cause stomach upset or hallucinations if consumed in large quantities.

How to identify it

• Glossy, bright green leaves
• Variable leaf shapes on one tree
• Small, white to pinkish berries
• Rough, grayish brown bark

Height

9 to 18m

Spread

6 to 12m

Leaves

bright green, deciduous

Flowers

greenish white, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

white, pink, purple, Late spring to early summer

Problems to watch for

• Popcorn disease · A fungal infection that causes fruit to swell and resemble popcorn.
• Scale insects · Small insects that suck sap and weaken branches.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed, grafting

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

No special protection is needed as it is very cold hardy. Ensure the tree is well watered before the ground freezes in late autumn.

In containers

It is generally too large for long term container growth unless heavily pruned as a bonsai specimen.

Plant shade tolerant perennials beneath the tree to make use of the space under its wide canopy.

Grows well with

• Daylily · They tolerate the dry shade often found beneath the canopy of a large mulberry tree.
• Hostas · These shade lovers thrive in the dappled light provided by the mulberry.

Similar species

• Red mulberry · It is the native North American counterpart that is often confused with the white mulberry.

Science

Family

Moraceae

Genus

Morus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central and eastern China

Conservation

It is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America where it hybridizes with native red mulberry.

It thrives in disturbed areas and open woodlands where it can quickly outcompete native vegetation.

Value to wildlife

pollen source, fruit for birds

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

ornamental shade tree, edible fruit, silk production

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is the fruit edible?

Yes, the ripe fruit is sweet and edible, though it can be quite messy.

How fast does it grow?

It is a very vigorous grower that can add several feet of height in a single season.

Where the name comes from

The name Morus is the Latin word for mulberry, while alba refers to the white color of the fruit.

Good to know

• White mulberry leaves are the primary food source for silkworms.
• The trees are incredibly fast growing.
• The fruit is much sweeter than that of the native red mulberry.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants