Mulberries are deciduous trees, that can reach up to 6-10 m tall and are grown for their fruits. They are fast-growing specimens while they are young, but become slow-growing when mature. The chilling requirements is high and the trees begin growth late in the season. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple, lobed and serrated on the margin. The leaves of several species are used to feed silkworms. It flowers from late spring to early summer and is self-fertile.
The fruit is a multiple fruit, 2-3 cm long. Black mulberries (Morus nigra) trees bear fruits that are white or green to pale yellow with pink edges when immature and red when they are ripening. A fully ripened black mulberry is dark purple to black, sweet, with a good flavor. The fruits of the white mulberry (Morus alba) are green when immature and white when they are ripening. The fruits are sweet and have a very mild flavor compared with the black mulberries. The fruits of red mulberry (Morus rubra) are white-pink when immature and purple when ripening. The fruits must be used as soon as they ripe, from late summer to early autumn. The fruits will start to fall from the tree as soon as they are fully ripe. Black mulberry is the best species for edible fruits.
They prefer a moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, slightly acid and a place in a sheltered, sunny position. Plant in late autumn to winter, 8-10 m apart if you live in a warm area, and if you live in a cold area plant in spring. In frost-prone areas grow tender species in a temperate greenhouse. Mulberries have brittle roots, so they need to be handled with care when planting them out. They should only be pruned when fully dormant, in winter, because mulberries bleed profusely if cut or damaged between early spring and summer. Ideally prune only badly placed branches and dead wood. If bleeding does occur, cauterize the wounds as quickly as possible with a hot poker or other iron implement.
Mulberries may be propagated hardwood cuttings of about 18 cm long, taken with a heel in autumn, in a prepared bed in ca cold frame. You can also root semi-ripe cuttings in summer. You can try to propagate mulberries from seeds sown in containers outdoors during autumn.
