Morus alba - Mullberry

Morus alba, or White Mulberry, also known as Common Mulberry, is an excellent shade tree. It bears dense and luxuriant deciduous foliage, which is pale green turning to golden yellow in autumn. It produces white to pinkish-red, even blackish fruits, which are harvested at the end of spring. They are edible and juicy, but have a slightly bland taste. Morus alba is very hardy (up to -28° C (-18.4° F)), and resistant to heat and drought. It has a powerful root system and prefers deep but well-drained soils. Its leaves have been used as food for silkworms since time immemorial.

Originally from Mongolia and India, Morus alba belongs to the Moraceae family, and produces latex in its tissues, like all members of its family. This stout-looking tree has a short and thick trunk, topped with a slightly irregular spreading crown if not pruned. It is more commonly seen shaped into a rounded and compact head after pruning. Its growth is rapid during the first few years, then slows down. It can reach 10 m (32.8 ft) in all directions. Its light grey bark cracks to become thicker, then turns grey-brown. The deciduous leaves are polymorphous, meaning their appearance can be different depending on their position on the branches. They measure 6 cm to 8 cm (2.4 in to 3.1 in) in diameter, 10 cm to 20 cm (3.9 in to 7.9 in) in length, and are alternate, petiolate, either simple and cordate, or divided into 3 to 7 more or less deep lobes with an irregularly toothed margin. The shiny upper surface of the lamina is pale green turning to golden yellow in autumn. The White Mulberry develops male or female flowers in different places on the same plant in April. Its discreet flowering consists of male or female catkins composed of tiny green-yellow flowers. In June-July, the female flowers produce ovoid fleshy fruits, which are white then pinkish-purple when ripe, and 2 cm to 3cm (0.8 in to 1.2 in) in size. The fruits are edible if slightly rubbery, and highly coveted by birds. Its root system, both taproot and spreading, does not tolerate transplantations well. Its robust growth means that it should be planted at a respectable distance from buildings.

The very hardy Morus alba grows in fertile, well-worked and well-drained soil, in warm and sunny locations. It tolerates pollution well but fears the seaside and salt spray. Uncultivated lands benefit from its presence, as its leaves gradually enrich the soil every autumn. Traditionally used as an alignment tree, it can also be planted in a fruit hedge, alongside blackthorns, Mirabelle plum trees, medlars, viburnums and dogwoods, to the delight of birds. It can make a beautiful specimen, planted in isolation in the middle of a short grass lawn, or near a terrace for the beneficial shade it offers in summer, especially as its fruits do not stain the ground. It is also useful on slopes to combat soil erosion. Its leaves are used as food for silkworms and it tolerates pruning very well.

The fruits of the White Mulberry can be consumed fresh or dried.