White Mulberry Tree (Morus alba) Live Plant – 12-24in Tall Bare Root – USDA Zones 4-9

Overview

Bring the beauty and bounty of nature to your garden with a white mulberry tree (Morus alba). This fast-growing, deciduous tree is celebrated for its sweet, edible fruits and attractive, lush foliage. Originating from China, the morus alba plant is often called common mulberry or silkworm mulberry, due to its leaves being the primary food source for silkworms. When you receive this plant, it will be a healthy 12-24 inch tall specimen, shipped as a bare root plant during its dormant season, ready for planting to establish strong roots in your landscape. It’s a fantastic choice for home gardeners looking to add a fruit-bearing tree that also provides shade and ornamental value.

The white mulberry tree can reach heights of 33-66 feet, developing a broad, rounded canopy. Its adaptability to various soil types and its drought tolerance once established make it a resilient and rewarding addition to almost any garden. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, this tree offers a delightful blend of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits, including a harvest of delicious white to pinkish-white berries.

Key Benefits

Adding a white mulberry tree to your property offers numerous advantages beyond just its striking appearance. Its rapid growth and generous fruit production are just a few reasons why it’s a popular choice among plant enthusiasts.

• Delicious Edible Fruits: Enjoy a prolific harvest of sweet, juicy berries from your morus alba plant. These white to pinkish-white mulberries are perfect for fresh eating, jams, jellies, pies, or dried snacks. The fruit production is a highlight for any gardener.
• Fast Growing Shade Tree: The white mulberry tree is known for its quick growth rate, providing substantial shade relatively quickly. This makes it an excellent choice for creating cooler outdoor living spaces or protecting other plants from intense sun.
• Attracts Wildlife: The abundant fruit serves as a natural food source for local birds and other wildlife, adding life and biodiversity to your garden ecosystem. This can be a delightful aspect of owning a mulberry tree care is a part of.
• Low Maintenance & Drought Tolerant: Once established, these trees are remarkably hardy and require minimal attention. They are relatively drought-tolerant, making them suitable for various climates and reducing the need for constant watering.
• Adaptable to Various Soils: The white mulberry tree thrives in a range of well-drained soil types, demonstrating its versatility and making it easier to grow in different garden conditions without extensive soil amendments.
• Cold Hardy: With a hardiness range of USDA Zones 4-9, this tree can withstand a significant range of winter temperatures, ensuring its survival and productivity in many regions across the United States.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the tree’s attractive foliage and stately form contribute significantly to the aesthetic appeal of your landscape, providing a beautiful backdrop throughout the growing season.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Providing proper mulberry tree care ensures a healthy, productive tree for years to come. The white mulberry tree is generally unfussy, but understanding its basic needs will help it thrive and produce an abundance of fruit. When you receive your bare root mulberry, plant it as soon as possible in a prepared site to minimize transplant shock.

For optimal growth and fruit production, the white mulberry tree prefers a location with full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate some partial shade, more sun generally leads to more fruit. It thrives in well-drained soils and can adapt to a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils, as long as drainage is adequate. Avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to root rot. When planting, amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, the tree becomes more drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture during fruit development will result in larger, juicier berries. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, following product instructions.

Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and maintain a strong structure. You can also prune to shape the tree or manage its size, especially if you prefer a smaller, more manageable fruit tree. Watch out for common pests like scale insects or mealybugs, and treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap if necessary. Diseases are generally not a major issue for the morus alba plant, especially with good air circulation and proper cultural practices. This edible fruit tree is a robust grower and with a little attention, will reward you with years of delicious fruit.

Size & Details

This offering is for one white mulberry tree, which will arrive as a healthy bare root mulberry plant, measuring approximately 12-24 inches tall. The ‘bare root’ designation means the plant is shipped without soil around its roots, which is ideal for dormant plants and helps reduce shipping costs and weight. The minimum height you can expect is 12 inches, with many plants being taller. Once planted, this fast-growing tree will quickly establish itself and begin to put on new growth.

Mature white mulberry trees typically reach heights of 33-66 feet and can spread equally wide, creating a substantial canopy perfect for shade. The growth rate is considered fast, meaning you’ll see noticeable development year after year. The tree will begin to produce fruit within a few years of planting, offering a bountiful harvest of sweet, white to reddish-purple berries. This edible fruit tree is cold-hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the US.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this white mulberry tree get? A: A: The white mulberry tree (Morus alba) is a fast-growing species that can reach an impressive height of 33-66 feet at maturity, with a similar spread, creating a broad, rounded canopy.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The white mulberry tree is an outdoor plant, best suited for planting directly in the ground where it has ample space to grow and establish its extensive root system. It is not suitable for long-term indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does a morus alba plant need? A: For optimal health and fruit production, the morus alba plant requires full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate some partial shade, but fruit yield may be reduced.
• Q: What condition will the bare root mulberry arrive in? A: Your bare root mulberry will arrive dormant, without leaves or soil, with its roots carefully packed to retain moisture. This is a normal and healthy state for bare root plants, ensuring they transplant well.
• Q: Is this mulberry tree easy to care for? A: Yes, the white mulberry tree is considered relatively easy to care for. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and adaptable to various soil types, making mulberry tree care straightforward for most gardeners.
• Q: How long until the edible fruit tree produces fruit? A: A white mulberry tree typically begins to produce fruit within 2-5 years after planting, depending on growing conditions and care. As the tree matures, its fruit production will increase significantly.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a bare root mulberry? A: The best time to plant a bare root mulberry is in late winter or early spring, while the tree is still dormant. This allows the roots to establish before the tree puts energy into leaf and fruit production.
• Q: Will this edible fruit tree survive winter in my zone? A: The white mulberry tree is cold-hardy and thrives in USDA Zones 4 through 9, meaning it can tolerate winter temperatures down to -30°F (-34°C) in Zone 4.
• Q: What kind of soil does the white mulberry tree prefer? A: This edible fruit tree prefers well-drained soil but is highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as they are not waterlogged.
• Q: Are the fruits from this morus alba plant messy? A: While delicious, the ripe fruits of the morus alba plant can drop and stain surfaces if not harvested promptly. Consider its placement in your landscape to avoid planting over patios or driveways.