PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 5

Morus alba - White or Common Mulberry

Plant Viewer
The leaf of the Mulberry vary widely. This cordate form is commonly found, but many have irregular rounded lobes. Image: Wikipedia The fruit ripens in late summer. They vary color from white to pink to red. Image: Wikipedia

Plant Description

Common Mulberry is a large (30-50 feet high), fast-growing shade tree with a wild, rounded form and dense canopy. It is considered by many people to be a trash tree because of its tendency to spread and sucker, its weak wood that often leads to breakage, its messy fruit and wild appearance. However, it is extremely tolerant of many soil and climate conditions, making it a suitable selection for more difficult locations.

The bark is light brown and covered with small furrows that give it a fine texture. The leaves are ovate shaped, but many different shapes may appear on the same tree. Some leaves may haves several rounded lobes on the leaf, while others will not. All of the leaves will have a fine serration. The leaves are dark green, and vary widely in size from 2-7 inches long.

The drupe fruit are white, pink or red in color. They are produced prolifically on the tree, and drop in equally prolific amounts. They become very messy, especially around sidewalks, patios or driveways. Birds find the fruit extremely tasty and are regular visitors when the fruit is ripe.

Landscape Use

Dirr describes Morus alba as having essentially no landscape value. However, I have seen plenty of well-formed specimens in Utah. In more moderate climates the Common Mulberry is more likely to become unruly. The biggest problem in our climate is the volunteer seedlings produced by the tree. Use it as a street tree or in difficult conditions.

Points of interest

Mulberry makes an excellent home for the silk worm and it was originally imported to Europe and American in an attempt to jump-start domestic silk production.

In many parts of the problem there are serious disease problems impacting Honeylocust populations, including leaf spot, cankers and borers. However, I have not found these diseases to be troublesome in our climate.

Notable Cultivars

Chaparral A small fruitless variety with a weeping form.