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Mulberry — Morus spp. (Red, White, Black)

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Mulberry — Morus spp. (Red, White, Black)

layout: base.njk title: Mulberry description: Growing Mulberry in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: fruit-tree

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Deciduous tree
Family: Moraceae (mulberry family)
Sun: Full sun to partial shade (full sun for best fruiting)
Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 (widely adaptable)
Hardiness: Zones 4-9 (all species suitable for WV Zone 6b/7a)
Chill hours: 400-800 hours (low-moderate chill)
Mature size: 30-50 ft tall x 40-60 ft spread (red/black); 20-40 ft (white, often smaller)

📅 Planting Calendar (WV Zone 6b/7a)

Method Timing Notes
Plant bare-root March 15 - April 30 While dormant; early spring
Plant container April - May or September - October Fall planting OK in Zone 7
Bloom time April to May (inconspicuous flowers) Fruits develop quickly after bloom
Harvest May to July (varies by species) Red: June; Black: June-July; White: May-June
Years to first fruit 2-3 years (grafted), 5-10 years (seedling) Fruits young; some varieties fruit first year

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Young tree (5 yrs): 20-50 lbs
  • Mature tree (15+ yrs): 100-300+ lbs (very productive)
  • Lifespan: 50-100+ years (long-lived)

🌿 Growing Conditions

Soil: Mulberry is extraordinarily adaptable. Thrives in clay, loam, sandy, rocky, poor soils. Tolerates drought, urban conditions, pollution. Prefers moist, well-drained loam but survives in marginal sites where other fruits fail. pH 6.0-7.5 optimal but tolerates 5.0-8.0. Minimal soil amendment needed. This is arguably the toughest tree fruit for Zone 6.

Rootstock: - Seedling (most common—mulberries usually grafted on seedling rootstock or sold on own roots) - Own roots (many sold as own-root plants from cuttings)

Note: Mulberries rarely grafted except for named fruit varieties. Many sold as own-root plants. White mulberry often used as rootstock for red/black varieties.

Pollination: Mulberries can be: - Monoecious: Both male and female flowers on same tree (self-fertile) - Dioecious: Separate male and female trees (only females fruit)

Most improved varieties are self-fertile. Some wild trees (especially white mulberry) are dioecious. For guaranteed fruit, buy named grafted variety (sex known). Wind-pollinated.

Companions: - Native companions: Pawpaw, persimmon, serviceberry, redbud - Nitrogen fixers: Redbud, false indigo, clover - Wildlife plants: Mulberry is PREMIER wildlife tree—30+ bird species eat fruit - Mycorrhizae: Inoculate at planting

Avoid: - Planting near patios, driveways, walkways (falling fruit stains) - Overcrowding (trees get large) - White mulberry near red mulberry (hybridization threat to native red)

Pests: - Mulberry silkworm moth: Larvae eat leaves (silk industry). Rarely damages tree significantly. - Scale: Dormant oil if present - Japanese beetles: May feed on leaves; hand-pick - Birds: LOVE mulberries. Competition for harvest—but plant extra for wildlife. - Deer: Browse young shoots. Protect young trees.

Diseases: - Mulberry leaf spot: Fungal; late-season spots. Cosmetic; rake leaves. - Dieback: In cold winters or stress. Prune out dead wood. - Root rot: Only in waterlogged soils. Mulberry tolerates wet feet better than most fruits.

Mulberry is EXTREMELY disease and pest resistant. Essentially no spraying needed. One of the lowest-maintenance tree crops.

Pruning: Prune in late winter (February-March) or after harvest (July). Mulberries naturally grow with wide-spreading branches. Options: - Standard tree: Maintain central leader, height 15-25 ft for harvest - Pollard: Cut back hard annually for manageable size (European tradition) - Espalier: Mulberries espalier well

Remove dead, crossing, weak branches. Thin crowded growth. Mulberries "bleed" heavily if pruned in late winter—this is normal, not harmful. Summer pruning reduces bleeding. Fruit on previous year's wood and older spurs.

Important Note on Fruit Drop: Mulberries drop ripe fruit continuously over 4-6 weeks. Fruit stains concrete, decking, cars. DO NOT plant near hardscapes. Plant in lawn (mow over dropped fruit), woodland edge, or area where mess doesn't matter. Consider male sterile varieties if mess is concern (but then no fruit).

🏺 Heirloom Varieties (10+)

Note on Species:

  • Red Mulberry (Morus rubra): NATIVE to WV/Eastern US. Long fruit (1-1.5 inch), dark purple, sweet-tart. Endangered by hybridization with white mulberry. Best flavor.
  • White Mulberry (Morus alba): Introduced from China (silkworm industry, 1800s). Short fruit, variable flavor (often bland). Very cold hardy. Invasive in some areas.
  • Black Mulberry (Morus nigra): Persian origin. Short fruit, deep black, exceptional flavor. Less cold hardy (Zone 7+). Best taste but marginal in Zone 6.

'Illinois Everbearing' Mulberry

  • Source: Stark Bro's, One Green World, many nurseries
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June to July (extended, 6+ weeks)
  • Notes: Red × white hybrid. VERY cold hardy (Zone 4). Medium-large fruit, purple-black. Sweet-tart flavor. LONG harvest season (everbearing). Productive. Reliable for Zone 6. Most widely planted variety.

'Black Beauty' Mulberry

  • Source: One Green World, Edible Landscaping
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June to July
  • Notes: Selection for long fruit (like red mulberry). Dark purple-black. Sweet flavor. Cold hardy. Long harvest period.

'Pakistan' Mulberry

  • Source: Edible Landscaping, specialty nurseries
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June to July
  • Notes: Very long fruit (2-4 inches!). Deep purple-black. Exceptionally sweet. Cold hardy (Zone 6 with protection). Impressive size. Slower to fruit but rewarding.

'Shang Hong' Mulberry (Red Shaanxi)

  • Source: One Green World, specialty nurseries
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June
  • Notes: Chinese selection. Large fruit, red to purple. Sweet flavor. Cold hardy. Early ripening.

'Gerardi' Mulberry

  • Source: Specialty nurseries, Rare Fruit Exchange
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June to July
  • Notes: Dwarf variety (10-15 ft). Good fruit quality. Cold hardy. Good for small spaces.

'Teas' Mulberry

  • Source: Specialty nurseries, Rare Fruit Exchange
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June
  • Notes: Old variety. White fruit with purple streaks. Sweet. Cold hardy. Historical variety.

'Hicks' Mulberry

  • Source: Specialty nurseries
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June to July
  • Notes: White-fruited variety. Sweet. Cold hardy. Less common.

Native Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)

  • Source: Native plant nurseries, state conservation programs
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: June
  • Notes: TRUE NATIVE species. Long fruit (1-1.5 inch), dark purple. Sweet-tart, complex flavor. Cold hardy. Support conservation—native red is endangered by hybridization. Collect from local wild trees (with permission).

White Mulberry (Morus alba)

  • Source: Many nurseries, often free (invasive)
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: May to June (early)
  • Notes: Variable fruit quality (often bland). Very cold hardy. Invasive—spreads by seed. Not recommended for planting but common. Fruit edible but inferior.

Black Mulberry (Morus nigra)

  • Source: Specialty nurseries
  • Bloom time: Spring
  • Harvest: July
  • Notes: Exceptional flavor—richest, sweetest, most complex. Deep black fruit. NOT reliably cold hardy in Zone 6 ( Zone 7+). Worth trying in protected microclimate. Slow growing, long-lived (100+ years).

Note on Varieties:

For Zone 6: 'Illinois Everbearing' is most reliable. 'Pakistan' for impressive fruit size. Native red for conservation + flavor. Avoid black mulberry unless in protected site.

📜 Cultural History & Domestication

Domesticated: - White mulberry (M. alba): Domesticated in China 4,000+ years ago for silkworm production. Silkworms feed exclusively on mulberry leaves. Spread along Silk Road. - Red mulberry (M. rubra): Never formally domesticated but used extensively by Native Americans. - Black mulberry (M. nigra): Domesticated in Persia (Iran) 2,000+ years ago for fruit. Spread throughout Mediterranean by Romans.

Archaeological Evidence: Mulberry pollen and wood found in ancient Chinese sites (2000+ BCE). Black mulberry remains in Egyptian tombs. Red mulberry seeds in prehistoric Native American sites.

Historical Record: - China: Mulberry cultivation integral to silk production. Mulberry-silk system sustained Chinese economy for millennia. Trees coppiced for leaf production. - Persia/Mediterranean: Black mulberry prized for fruit. Romans spread cultivation. Mulberry wine, preserves common. - Native American Use: Cherokee, Iroquois ate red mulberry fruit fresh, dried. Bark used medicinally. Wood used for bows (flexible). - Colonial America: Multiple attempts to establish silk industry using white mulberry (1600s-1700s). All failed (climate, labor). "Mulberry mania" speculation bubble in England (1600s). - United States: White mulberry naturalized widely. Red mulberry declined due to hybridization. Black mulberry rare (cold sensitivity).

Cultural Significance: - Silk Industry: Mulberry leaves are ONLY food for silkworm (Bombyx mori). Silk production shaped global trade for 4,000 years. - Biblical: Mulberry/sycamore mentioned in Bible. Zacchaeus climbed sycamore (related species). - Appalachian: Red mulberry was common fence row tree. Fruit eaten fresh, made into wine, preserves. "Mulberry corner" marked properties.

Modern Context: - Conservation: Native red mulberry is ENDANGERED by hybridization with white mulberry. Planting pure red mulberry supports conservation. - Permaculture: Mulberry is permaculture ideal—tough, productive, wildlife-friendly, low-input. - Silk: Small-scale silk production revived by homesteaders. - Culinary: Mulberries underutilized. Fresh eating, pies, jams, wine, dried. Sold for $8-15/lb.

🌾 Propagation

Seed: Mulberry seeds require no stratification (fresh seed) or 30-60 days cold stratification (stored). Collect ripe fruit, macerate, clean seeds, dry, store cool/dry. Sow in spring. Germination 70-90%. Seedlings grow 1-3 ft first year. Seedlings variable in fruit quality, sex unknown until flowering. Useful for rootstock or wildlife plantings.

Cuttings: Hardwood cuttings root easily in late winter. Softwood cuttings in early summer. 70-90% success. This is how most named varieties propagated.

Grafting: Possible but rarely done. Whip-and-tongue in late winter. Chip budding in late summer.

Layering: Mulberries layer easily. Bend low branch to soil, wound it, bury. Roots form in one season.

Special Notes: - Mulberries transplant easily - Fruit stains—wear old clothes when harvesting - Shake sheets under tree to harvest (fruit drops when ripe) - Freeze harvested fruit for later use

📖 Sources Consulted

  1. One Green World (onegreenworld.com) - Mulberry varieties, culture
  2. Edible Landscaping (ediblelandscaping.com) - Mulberry selection, growing guides
  3. West Virginia University Extension - Native fruit resources
  4. USDA NRCS Plant Guide - Morus spp.
  5. Native American Ethnobotany Database (naeb.brit.org) - Traditional uses
  6. North American Fruit Explorers (nafex.org) - Mulberry discussions
  7. Peterson, Lee Reich. Uncommon Fruits Worthy of Attention. Addison-Wesley, 1991.

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead