Red Mulberry
Morus rubra · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Moraceae
Tree Category
Shade and Fruit Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type species, no specific named cultivar
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, demonstrating strong adaptability to varying continental temperature extremes.
About This Tree
A medium-sized deciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown, spreading branches, and a relatively short trunk. Known for its soft foliage and sweet, edible aggregate fruit resembling blackberries.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple leaves, typically 3 to 5 inches long, ovate to cordate in shape, with serrated margins. Leaves can be unlobed or variably 2-3 lobed on the same branch, featuring rough upper surfaces and hairy undersides.
Bark Characteristics
Dark brown to greyish-brown bark, divided into narrow, flat-topped ridges separated by shallow fissures, often developing a scaly texture on older trunks.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America, from southern Ontario south to Florida and west to the Great Plains
Growing Season
Leaves out in mid-spring, flowers in April to May, produces fruit in June to July, and drops leaves in autumn entering winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Prefers moist, well-draining soils but exhibits good adaptability to various soil types and moderate drought once established.
Mature Size
Reaches a mature height of 35 to 50 feet with a similar spread, growing at a moderate rate with a lifespan of up to 50 to 75 years.
Special Characteristics
Produces edible, sweet compound fruits valued by humans and wildlife alike. Exhibits good tolerance to urban pollution and handles varying soil conditions well.
Wildlife & Ecology
Highly attractive to a wide variety of birds and mammals that feed on the abundant fruits in early summer. The foliage serves as a larval host for certain moth species.