From 1843 to 1844, a blight killed many trees. Compounded by silkworm disease and the inflated prices from speculation, the American silk industry waned.
The fruits of this iconic tree never found a place in the commercial market, being too soft for transit and too short-lived to be profitable.
Sometimes the fruits make their way into local farmers’ markets, and are a treat when they do.
How to Grow
When provided with the right conditions, growing mulberries is easy.
Let’s take a look at their cultural requirements.
Location
Choose a location with full sun or part shade.
The spot you choose should be big enough to accommodate the large, shady canopy and equally wide root system, away from your house, overhead wires, septic tile, and underground utility pipes.
Soil
The ideal soil is organically-rich, moist, and well-draining, with a slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
Water
After planting, water weekly in the absence of rain. As they mature, trees develop drought tolerance.
Fertilizing
Fertilize every spring using a nitrogen-rich, slow-release, granular product.
Sprinkle it manually, starting six inches out from the trunk and continuing to the edge of the leaf canopy.
Tree-Tone provides a nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (NPK) ratio of 6-3-2 and is suitable for fruit, ornamental, and shade trees. It’s an organic ready-to-sprinkle product.
Tree-Tone
Tree-Tone is available from Espoma via Amazon.
Species and Cultivars to Select
In addition to straight species suited to Zones ranging from 4 to 10, there are cultivated varieties.
Depending upon potential restrictions in your locale, the following are options to consider:
Chaparral
M. alba ‘Chaparral’ is a dwarf weeping white cultivar with downward arching branches you can prune artistically for an umbrella effect. This cultivar does not produce fruit.
‘Chaparral’
This option is suited to Zones 4 to 8. It has a medium growth rate and modest dimensions of eight to 10 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide.
‘Chaparral’ weeping mulberry trees are available from Nature Hills Nursery.
Dwarf Black
This dwarf variety of M. nigra produces full-size, juicy black berries from July to September.
Dwarf Black Mulberry
It grows best in Zones 6 to 10, has a fast growth rate, and reaches 12 to 15 feet tall and wide at maturity.
Fruiting dwarf black mulberry trees are available from Nature Hills Nursery.
Red
The red mulberry, M. rubra, is a North American species that produces bountiful yields of luscious red-to-purple berries from June to August.
Red Mulberry
Fast-growing red mulberry trees thrive in Zones 5 to 9 and reach heights of 50 to 70 feet with a 30- to 40-foot spread.
Red mulberry trees are available from Nature Hills Nursery.
Maintenance
A mulberry tree is one of the easiest to care for, requiring just a little pruning during winter dormancy to remove damaged or sickly branches.
Avoid pruning in early spring when the sticky sap flows.
