White Mulberry
Morus alba · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Moraceae
Tree Category
Fruit Tree, Ornamental, Landscape Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type / Standard species (Morus alba)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. Tolerates cold winter temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C) and hot summer climates.
About This Tree
A fast-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree with a rounded, spreading crown, dense canopy, and highly variable leaf shapes. Leaves often range from unlobed heart-shaped to deeply lobed on the same branch. Produces small, sweet, edible aggregate berries ranging from white to pinkish-purple.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate arrangement, glossy bright green upper surface, paler underside. Leaves are heart-shaped (cordate) at the base with coarsely serrated or dentate margins, showing polymorphy (unlobed, 2-lobed, or multi-lobed leaves on single shoots). Soft, paper-like texture with prominent palmate venation.
Bark Characteristics
Orange-brown to grayish-brown when young, becoming deeply furrowed with thick, narrow, yellowish-brown to dark gray ridges as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Eastern and Central China; widely naturalized across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-to-late spring; blooms in spring (April-May); fruits ripen in early-to-mid summer (June-July); drops foliage in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires Full Sun to Partial Shade. Tolerates moderate to low moisture once established; highly drought-tolerant and adaptable to varied soil pH and textures.
Mature Size
Reaches 30 to 50 feet (9-15 m) in height with a canopy spread of 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m). Fast growth rate (2-3 feet per year), living 50-75 years.
Special Characteristics
Extremely fast-growing and resilient. Produces abundant sweet fruit used fresh or dried. Highly tolerant of urban pollution, poor soils, and drought. Historically grown as the primary food source for silkworms.
Wildlife & Ecology
Fruits are highly attractive to songbirds, squirrels, raccoons, and small mammals. Host plant for various butterfly larvae and silkworms. Offers excellent summer canopy shelter and nesting cover for urban and rural wildlife.