White Mulberry
Morus alba · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Invasive
Plant Family
Moraceae
Tree Category
Fruit, Shade, Invasive Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard Morus alba
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Extremely climate-adaptable and tolerant of extreme temperatures.
About This Tree
A medium-sized, fast-growing tree with a rounded, spreading, often haphazard crown. Highly adaptable and known for its variable leaf shapes on the same branch.
Leaf Characteristics
Highly polymorphic (can be unlobed or deeply lobed), simple, alternate arrangement. Leaves are 2-7 inches long, glossy green on top, with serrated/toothed margins and a cordate (heart-shaped) base. Veins are prominent from the base.
Bark Characteristics
Light orange-brown to gray-brown; becomes deeply furrowed with long, flattened ridges as the tree matures. Inner bark is often yellowish.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Northern China; naturalized and invasive throughout North America and Europe.
Growing Season
Leafs out in late spring; flowers mid-spring; fruits ripen in early-to-mid summer; enters dormancy after autumn leaf drop (yellow fall color).
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade. High drought tolerance once established; prefers moist, well-drained soils but survives in poor, compacted, or dry urban soils.
Mature Size
Mature height of 30-50 feet with a similar spread. Growth rate is very fast (2+ feet per year). Lifespan is generally 50-75 years.
Special Characteristics
Extremely hardy and pollution-tolerant; fruit is edible but can be messy on sidewalks. Historically used in the silk industry as the primary food source for silkworms.
Wildlife & Ecology
High ecological value for birds and small mammals who consume the berries. However, it is considered invasive in many regions because it displaces native Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) and outcompetes native flora.