Red Mulberry
Morus rubra
Also listed as Morus argutidens, Morus canadensis
Also known as American Mulberry
Climate Match for your location
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A native deciduous tree prized for its dark red edible berries that ripen in early summer. Fast-growing and relatively low-maintenance, it attracts wildlife and provides dappled shade.
Why grow it
Red mulberry produces fruit earlier and more reliably than most native alternatives, with berries ready to harvest in early summer rather than midsummer. Compared to black mulberry (Morus nigra), it tolerates a wider range of climates across North America and establishes faster, though black mulberry fruit is somewhat larger. As a native deciduous tree, it requires less supplemental care once established than exotic species while providing reliable wildlife value and moderate shade.
Watch out for
Fruit ripening occurs over several weeks rather than all at once, requiring multiple harvests if you want to preserve the crop. The tree can be messy during fruiting season, staining hard surfaces and sidewalks with dropped berries. Mulberries sucker readily from roots and stumps, so removal or aggressive pruning can prompt vigorous regrowth that may require repeated management.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Moraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native deciduous tree prized for its dark red edible berries that ripen in early summer. Fast-growing and relatively low-maintenance, it attracts wildlife and provides dappled shade.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Mulberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red mulberry produces fruit earlier and more reliably than most native alternatives, with berries ready to harvest in early summer rather than midsummer. Compared to black mulberry (Morus nigra), it tolerates a wider range of climates across North America and establishes faster, though black mulberry fruit is somewhat larger. As a native deciduous tree, it requires less supplemental care once established than exotic species while providing reliable wildlife value and moderate shade.
Watch out for
Fruit ripening occurs over several weeks rather than all at once, requiring multiple harvests if you want to preserve the crop. The tree can be messy during fruiting season, staining hard surfaces and sidewalks with dropped berries. Mulberries sucker readily from roots and stumps, so removal or aggressive pruning can prompt vigorous regrowth that may require repeated management.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Moraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
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