Morus alba (White Mulberry)

Morus alba (White Mulberry) is a small deciduous tree with a short trunk and a dense, rounded canopy of spreading branches. The alternate, simple, heart-shaped, glossy dark green leaves, 3-7 in. long (7-18 cm), display 3 prominent veins that run from the rounded or obliquely cordate base. The foliage may turn a pleasing yellow in fall. White mulberry is usually dioecious (separate male and female trees). The male flowers are small, and green, and occur in 1-2 in. (2-5 cm) long catkins. The female flowers are inconspicuous and crowded in short spikes. In summer, it bears edible, oval, white fruits ripening to deep pink, dark red, or purple-black. Native to central and eastern China, White Mulberry is widely cultivated and has naturalized elsewhere across the world. In some areas, White Mulberry is invasive, hybridizing with native species Morus rubra in North America and out-competing other native species in South Africa.

• Grows up to 30-50 ft. tall (9-15 m).
• A full sun lover, White Mulberry is easily grown in humus-rich, fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates heat, drought, and a wide range of soils. Shelter from cold, dry winds.
• Generally pest free. Keep an eye out for leaf spots, canker, coral spots and powdery mildews.
• No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested, or crossing shoots. Winter pruning, while the tree is dormant, helps avoid excessive sap loss.
• Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer.
• Morus alba species is native to Asia. It poses an ecological threat by displacing US native species, possibly hybridizing with and transmitting a root disease to the native Morus rubra.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.