White Mulberry
Morus alba · Deciduous Broadleaf
Plant Family
Moraceae
Tree Category
Fruit Tree / Ornamental / Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Morus alba)
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 rounded, spreading crown. Often develops a gnarled form with age. Known for its polymorphic leaves and sweet, messy fruit.
Leaf Characteristics
Polymorphic (varying shapes on the same branch); can be heart-shaped (unlobed) or deeply lobed; 2-7 inches long; bright green and glossy on top; serrated margins; alternate arrangement.
Bark Characteristics
Orange-brown to gray-brown with thick, irregular ridges and furrows; younger branches may show a distinctive yellowish-orange inner bark when cut.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China; widely naturalized throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Growing Season
Bud break in early spring; flowers in mid-spring; fruits ripen in early-to-mid summer (June/July); dormancy follows autumn leaf drop.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil but is highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
30-50 feet tall and wide at maturity; growth rate is rapid (12-24 inches per year); lifespan usually 50-75 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly invasive in some regions; historically used for silkworm production; fruits are edible; leaves turn a modest yellow in fall.
Wildlife & Ecology
Fruits are a high-energy food source for many bird species and small mammals; host plant for the silkworm moth (Bombyx mori).