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mulberry

Member profile details

PLANT PROFILE SHEET PDF

http://leafnetworkaz.org:80/resources/PLANT%20PROFILES/Mulberry_profile.pdf

IDENTIFICATION

Common Name

mulberry

Photo #1

Scientific Name

Morus nigra L.; Morus rubra L.; Morus alba L.

Family

Moraceae

Spanish Name

mora

Species Description

Deciduous trees and shrubs, with alternate, many-lobed leaves. Red mulberry (Morus rubra) is largest, grown for fruit. Leaves sometimes lobed with blunt teeth, rough on upper surface and finely hairy underneath. Black mulberry (M. nigra) leaves are rough and often unlobed, tends to form shrub. White mulberry (M. alba) has generally thin, light green leaves, glabrous on upper side and finely hairy underneath. Flowers, dioecious or monoecious, are cylindrical wind-pollinated catkins. Fruit is obovoid to cylindrical, resembling a blackberry, sweet to somewhat tart, and color ranges from white to red to black, though fruit color does not necessarily correspond to the species names.

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced

Introduced to Arizona

Natural Range

Black mulberry (Morus nigra) native to western Asia, but traveled early to Greece, Rome, and the rest of Europe. White mulberry (M. alba) native to central and eastern China, grown for its leaves to feed silkworms. Red mulberry (M. rubra) native to North America.

Cultural-Historic Notes

Black mulberry (M. nigra) is native to southwest Asia and has been cultivated for thousands of years in that area. Red mulberry (M. rubra) is native to eastern North America, where it was used by native populations. White mulberry (M. alba) is native to central and eastern China and has been cultivated for thousands of years for silkworms. Many varieties and hybrids have been developed for improved flavor, increased production, and higher fruit yields. Dried mulberries have been a winter staple for peoples living in the Himalayas. There, dried mulberries are ground into flour and mixed with almonds.

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form

Tree
Shrub

Tree or Understory

Tree

Other Growth Characteristics

Seasonally Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Canopy Diameter

20-30 feet

Tree Height

30 feet

Lifespan

300 years

Years to Bearing, if nursery tree is 1-2 years old; grafted

2-3 years

Chill Hours

300-450 hours

Freeze Tolerance

Some species hardy to 0 degrees F.

Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations

Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial (50%) shade. Trees make a good overstory tree, attracting birds, wildlife and pollinators. Fruits can be messy, avoid planting trees near driveways and sidewalks/walkways.

Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories

HIGH MOUNTAIN: Flagstaff - USDA Zone 6b (-5ºF-0ºF)
HIGH PLATEAU, MOUNTAIN: Prescott, Tuba City, Winslow, Page - USDA Zones 7a-7b (0ºF-10ºF)
HIGH DESERT: Sierra Vista, Kingman, Globe, Wilcox - USDA Zones 8a-8b (10-20ºF)
MID DESERT: Tucson, Ajo, Safford, Casa Grande - USDA Zones 9a-9b (20-30ºF)

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use

Medium: 20-35 inches / year

Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs

1 X Month in Growing Season

CARE

Pollination

Wind pollinated. Self-fertile but cross pollination provides greater yields.

Soils

Mulberry prefers moist, well-drained soils that can be sandy to heavy clay.

Propagation

Propagated from hardwood, softwood and root cuttings. Rooting hormone increases rooting. Seeds need at 13-16 weeks stratification for germination. Seed grown plants require a long time to produce fruit.

Pest & Disease Control

Birds can be a serious pest from mulberries, and they are often recommended as trees to dsitract birds from other fruit trees. Other diseases: Popcorn disease, cankers, scale, die-back. Control popcorn disease by burning infected fruit.

Pruning Notes

Young mulberry trees require training to develop a sturdy branch framework. Beyond training, no special pruning techniques required. Remove dead and over-crowded branches. Mulberries heal poorly from large wounds, so larger cuts should be avoided.

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts

Harvest August-September. Pick as the fruits ripen or sheets can be laid down and the tree given a good shake. The ripe fruits will drop easily. Ripe mulberries are extremely perishable and will not keep more than a couple days even under refrigeration. Fruit is delicious and may be used for fresh eating or dried, cooked into pies, jams, jellies.

Harvest Months

May
June
July
August

Harvest and Processing Guide

Harvest and Processing Guide

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PO Box 65122, Phoenix, Arizona 85082-5122

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.