Morus nigra
Description
“Here we go ’round the Mulberry Bush…” Do you remember singing that song as a child? What exactly is a mulberry? You don’t see them in the supermarket, but if you like blackberries – you’ll LOVE mulberries. And you can grow your own tree! This Black Beauty produces succulent mulberries (that offer even more juicy flavor than blackberries!) The delicious and nutritious fruit grows in abundance from June to August. It’s special because the berries ripen over an extended period of time… unlike many fruits which ripen all at once. This easy-to-grow tree will provide you and your family with enough fruit to keep you happy all summer.
Expect berries your very first year. Plant your tree in full sun to enjoy a delightful display of flowers around May. Then, it quickly sets fruit. You’ll pick a surprising amount of berries, and while they’re absolutely delicious right off the vine, you can preserve them to enjoy throughout the year. Mulberries make tasty jams, jellies and taste amazing in pies. It’s not just a prolific producer of luscious fruit – the Black Beauty Mulberry quickly matures into a stately ornamental tree. Swiftly reaching heights up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, it’s a magnificent sight. Featuring large heart-shaped leaves, some sculpted with lobes, it’s a beautiful tree that offers year-round interest. The bark on younger trees is typically an attractive orangish color, maturing to gray-brown. You’ll gain significant shade from the sun during the summer months, saving you money on your electric bills, while letting in much-needed sunlight during the winter.
Planting
Choose a location where your tree will receive full or partial sunlight and the soil drains well. Dig a hole that is three times as wide as the root ball and equal in depth. Remove your tree from its container and place it into the hole, ensuring it is standing upright and the top of the root ball is even with the ground. Begin backfilling the hole with existing soil, tamping down lightly as you fill. Immediately water the area to settle the soil and help to eliminate air pockets. Mulch around the base of the tree to conserve soil moisture and prevent weeds/grass from growing.
Watering
Water your tree weekly while it is establishing. Once established, your normal rainfall will be enough unless you are experiencing extreme drought or heat.
Fertilizing
Apply any type of organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Pruning
Very little pruning is needed to maintain the tree. Any dead or broken branches can be pruned in spring.
Low Maintenance
Don’t be fooled by its beauty or ability to produce a massive amount of fruit. It’s not complicated to own this tree at all! We’ve groomed it here at our nursery until it’s ready for your landscape. Just plant it and enjoy watching it flower and fruit the first year. Our Black Beauty Mulberry trees are drought tolerant and extremely sturdy – able to tolerate high winds, extreme heat, poor soil, and pollution.
| Growing Information | |
| Mature Height: | 15 ft |
| Mature Width: | 8-10 ft |
| Sunlight: | Full to Partial Sun |
| Bloom Time: | |
| Growth Rate: | Fast |
| Grows Well in Zones: | 4-10 |
| Your Growing Zone: | 6 |
