Prefers warm temperate to cool temperate climates.
White mulberry
The white mulberry (Morus alba) is a fast-growing shade tree native to China. It produces sweet and juicy light-colored fruits that are commonly used in desserts and jams. With its tolerance to various soil conditions and suitability to cool temperate climates, the white mulberry is a versatile and valuable plant for cultivation.
Morus alba
China
The white mulberry (Morus alba) is a deciduous tree that belongs to the Morus genus. It is native to China and is widely grown in various regions. This tree prefers warm temperate to cool temperate climates and thrives in well-drained, fertile loamy soils. White mulberry trees produce light-colored fruits that can range from white to pink to black. These berries are known for their sweet and juicy flavor and are commonly consumed fresh or used in desserts and jams. The tree itself is fast-growing and hardy, capable of tolerating different soil conditions. This makes it well-suited for cultivation in cooler climates. In addition to its fruit, the white mulberry tree has other valuable uses. The leaves of this tree have traditionally been fed to silkworms in China. Livestock also find the leaves palatable and nutritious, as they contain crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, calcium, and phosphorous. With proper annual pruning, the white mulberry tree can serve as an important source of fodder. The dried fruit of the white mulberry is used as a staple food in Afghanistan. It is ground and mixed with ground almonds for consumption. The analysis of dried mulberry shows its composition, including total solids, ash, protein, sucrose, invert sugar, crude fiber, and the absence of starch. Apart from its agricultural uses, the white mulberry tree has commercial value. The wood, particularly the sapwood, has been used in the production of sporting goods. It is also utilized for house building, furniture, tool handles, turnery, and various parts of carriages and carts. The bark of the white mulberry tree is used for papermaking in China and Europe, and its fibers can be employed in the textile industry. Overall, the white mulberry (Morus alba) is a versatile tree with its fruit, leaves, and wood offering various benefits. It is adaptable to different climates and soil conditions, making it a valuable plant for cultivation and utilization.
Well-drained, fertile loamy soils.
This tree is named after its white fruit. It is native to China where the leaves were traditionally fed to silkworms. It is a fast growing (to 25 m) shade tree and tolerates a wide range of condi-tions, although it prefers deep soil, good drainage and full sun.
The leaves are very palatable to livestock and are nutritious (crude protein - 15.1%, crude fat -
5.7%, crude fibre - 13.7%, nitrogen free extract - 50.3%, calcium - 1.95%, phosphorous -0.4%.) If properly managed by annual pruning, it can be an important source of fodder and on well drained soils is one of the best trees for cultivation.
The dried fruit is used for human food in Afghanistan where it is ground and mixed with ground almonds as a staple (analysis of dried mulberry - : total solids - 94.81%, ash - 2.75%, protein - 2.59%, sucrose - 1.2%, invert sugar - 70.01%, crude fibre - 2.65%, starch absent).
The wood, especially the sapwood, has been used commercially in the manufacture of sporting goods. The wood is also used for house building, furniture, tool handles (can be pruned to shape when young), turnery, bent parts of carriages and carts, spokes, shafts, etc. The bark is used in China and Europe for making paper and the bark yields a fibre suitable for use in the textile industry.