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TreesFruit Edible

Morus alba

white mulberry

A small to mid-sized deciduous tree, with a spreading habit and ovate to heart-shaped, glossy, toothed green leaves, turning pale yellow in autumn. Pale green catkins are produced in late spring and early summer, followed by edible, raspberry-like fruits that begin white and develop to reddish-pink or near-black. Silkworms are traditionally fed on the leaves of this tree

Other common names
Russian mulberry
sycamine tree
see morewhite-fruited mulberry
Synonyms
Morus kagayamae
Morus acidosa
see moreMorus alba bombycis
Morus bombycis
Morus australis
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green Green White Pink Red Black
Autumn Green Yellow White Pink Red Black
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Moraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Morus are deciduous trees and shrubs with broadly ovate, sometimes deeply lobed leaves and inconspicuous green flowers followed by usually edible white, red or black fruit

Name status

Correct

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soil in full sun, with shelter from cold, dry winds. See mulberry cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by hardwood cuttings in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Pruning group 1, in late autumn or early winter to avoid bleeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to mulberry leaf spot, mulberry canker, coral spot, powdery mildews and honey fungus (rarely)

Get involved

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