White Mulberry
Morus alba
Also listed as Morus tatarica, Morus alpina
Also known as Mulberry, Common Mulberry, Tartarian Mulberry
Climate Match for your location
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A fast-growing deciduous tree valued for its sweet white berries and shade production. Hardy and adaptable to various soil types, though it can become invasive in some regions.
Why grow it
White mulberry produces abundant sweet fruit with less tartness than black mulberry (Morus nigra), making it preferred for fresh eating and processing. It grows faster and tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than most Morus species, including poor or compacted soils. The tree provides reliable shade and is hardy across USDA zones 4-9, offering utility in regions where black mulberry may struggle.
Watch out for
Fruit staining can be heavy where trees overhang hardscaping or vehicles. Branch wood is relatively brittle and prone to splitting under wet snow or ice loads, requiring strategic pruning to reduce weight on major limbs. The tree's aggressive rooting can damage nearby pavement, drainage systems, or shallow-rooted perennials if planted in confined spaces.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Moraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Illinois Everbearing' and 'Sweetwater' are popular cultivars selected for extended fruiting seasons and superior sweetness; 'Pendula' is an ornamental weeping form.
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 fast-growing deciduous tree valued for its sweet white berries and shade production. Hardy and adaptable to various soil types, though it can become invasive in some regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well White Mulberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
White mulberry produces abundant sweet fruit with less tartness than black mulberry (Morus nigra), making it preferred for fresh eating and processing. It grows faster and tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than most Morus species, including poor or compacted soils. The tree provides reliable shade and is hardy across USDA zones 4-9, offering utility in regions where black mulberry may struggle.
Watch out for
Fruit staining can be heavy where trees overhang hardscaping or vehicles. Branch wood is relatively brittle and prone to splitting under wet snow or ice loads, requiring strategic pruning to reduce weight on major limbs. The tree's aggressive rooting can damage nearby pavement, drainage systems, or shallow-rooted perennials if planted in confined spaces.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Moraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia
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:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Illinois Everbearing' and 'Sweetwater' are popular cultivars selected for extended fruiting seasons and superior sweetness; 'Pendula' is an ornamental weeping form.