Morus rubra

Common Names

Red Mulberry, Mulberry, American Mulberry, Moral

Summary

Morus rubra L., the Red Mulberry, is a native deciduous tree of eastern and central North America. It typically grows to about 30–50 ft tall with a broad, rounded crown and a trunk up to about 0.6 m in diameter; leaves are variable, often lobed, with serrate margins and a rough upper surface, while the undersides are pubescent. The tree bears greenish, inconspicuous catkins and edible berries that are red to dark purple, produced on fertilized female flowers and highly attractive to birds. For cultivation, Red Mulberry prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained loamy soils, tolerating a range of conditions in USDA zones 3–8. It can be easily grown from seed or cuttings and may self-seed somewhat prolifically; pruning is best done in late fall or winter to avoid bleeding. Fruiting typically begins a few years after planting (often 4–10 years), and the fruits can be eaten fresh or used for jams, jellies, and wines; wood is used for posts and furniture. The tree is generally pest-resistant but can suffer from borers, whiteflies, and powdery mildew, and fruits attract birds and mammals, providing wildlife habitat.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

35-50 feet

Spread

420-480 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5–7 (optimal), tolerates acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, yellow in autumn

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Rapid growth

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Budding, Grafting, Root sprouts

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, butterflies