White Mulberry
Morus alba · Deciduous Broadleaf
Plant Family
Moraceae
Tree Category
Fruit Tree / Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (Wild Type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 9; highly adaptable to urban pollution and poor soil conditions.
About This Tree
A medium-sized, fast-growing tree with a broad, rounded, spreading crown. Often develops a dense canopy. Notable for displaying extreme leaf heterophylly (varying leaf shapes) on the same branch.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate arrangement; variable shapes ranging from unlobed to deeply lobed (often with 3-5 lobes); glossy bright green upper surface; serrated margins; 2-7 inches in length; turns yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Light gray to orange-brown in color; develops narrow, irregular furrowing and thick ridges as it ages; younger branches are smooth with prominent lenticels.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China; widely naturalized in North America and Europe.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers in late spring; fruits ripen in early-to-mid summer; dormancy occurs after first frost in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; medium water requirements; highly adaptable to various soil types and extremely drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Reaches 30-50 feet in height with a similar spread of 35-50 feet; fast growth rate; lifespan of 75-150 years.
Special Characteristics
Producing edible white, pink, or purple berries; historically used for silkworm cultivation; highly invasive in many North American regions due to prolific seeding.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts numerous bird species and mammals who feed on the soft fruits; leaves are the primary food source for silkworms; provides dense nesting cover for songbirds.