How and Why You Should Grow a Mulberry Tree

If you were to come across a lone mulberry, you would be forgiven for thinking that it might be some kind of funky blackberry, or at least a cousin. However, mulberries are something in their own right. Mulberries come from the Morus genus of the Moraceae family, which makes them more closely related to figs, breadfruit and jackfruit!

There are a few different species of mulberries. Morus rubra, or red mulberries, are native to North America. However, it is the Morus alba, or white mulberry, that might be more commonly found in North America, despite it being native to Asia.

Mulberry trees produce an incredible harvest of soft fruits that can be enjoyed as jam, wine, and tea. Mulberries are vastly nutritious, and a tree can make a beautiful addition to your garden if you have the room and time to maintain it.

Source: The Garden Nerd/Youtube

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Mulberries

Mulberries have quite an impressive nutritional profile. When dried, mulberries are 70 percent carbohydrate, 14 percent fiber, 12 percent protein, and 3 percent fat. This means that dried mulberries have a significantly higher protein content than many other berries. A 100g serving of fresh berries contains 1.4g of protein, 9.8g of carbs, and 1.7g of fiber.

It may not come as much of a surprise to learn that mulberries are rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C. They are also a significant source of iron, vitamin K1, potassium, and vitamin E. As with many berries, they are also rich in other antioxidants in the form of anthocyanins and rutin.

How to Grow a Mulberry Tree

A mulberry tree is a deciduous tree that bears edible berries during the summer, usually in its third year of growth.

Mulberry trees are fast-growing and can reach heights of 10-12 feet in their first six years. These trees are very easy to grow but are not suited to every space as they have prolific root growth, meaning that they could damage nearby structures. Their fruits also grow on the previous year’s growth, so extensive pruning will hinder fruit production.

Mulberries grow well in full sun but tolerate partial shade. However, note that more light may equate to more fruit! They are not too fussy about soil conditions and can grow in many soil types and pH levels. You just need to make sure that there is room for water drainage.

Once established, mulberry trees are reasonably drought tolerant but will require some watering attention in their first year.  Wonderfully, mulberry trees are cold hardy to temperatures as low as 25 degrees F during dormancy, but they need temperatures that sustain between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season for optimal fruit production.

Since mulberries are notorious for self-seeding, it is easy to grow mulberries from seed. Once you have an established tree, you can look out for volunteer plants for re-locating or sharing with friends. Should you not want these volunteer plants to become established, it is important to be able to recognize them to weed them out.

For the gardeners that are simply looking for a pretty tree in their yard, the mulberry might not be the best option. It doesn’t have spectacular blooms, and the fruits are particularly messy, dropping all over the place and staining paths and driveways (though there are sterile cultivars for such needs). For gardeners that are excited for an incredible harvest of fruits with enough to share with neighbors and wildlife alike, this might be the tree for you!

How to Use Mulberries

Source: Morag Gamble: Our Permaculture Life/Youtube

Before we talk about consuming mulberries, it ought to be noted that uncooked leaves can cause mild stomach upset in some people. This might be the same for eating raw berries, so go easy on your first try.

The leaves of the mulberry can be eaten when cooked and serve as a great alternative to grape leaves for making dolmas. You can also use mulberry leaves as an alternative to green tea. You may use fresh or dried leaves.

Of course, you can use the mulberries themselves as a tasty snack. They may be dried via a dehydrator, an oven, or air-dried.  You can then add them to trail mixes, cakes, or granola. Unsurprisingly, mulberries also make great jam, using them as you would blackberries. You will need to add pectin if you are looking for a specific ‘jam’ consistency rather than a ‘fruit purée.’

If you are looking to grow a berry that is crazy abundant, delicious, and nutritious, and you have the room, think about growing your own mulberry tree. You can be canning your own harvested fruit in no time!

Recipes to make with your mulberries!

• Mizuna, Fennel, and Mulberry Salad [Vegan]
• Mulberry Crumble Pie [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

Related Content:

• 7 Reasons You Should Plant a Mulberry Tree
• Mulberry: Health Benefits, Tips, and Product Picks
• 7 Berries That Grow on Trees for Big-Time Harvests
• 10 Unconventional Fruit Trees for the Backyard Orchard
• 9 Native, Fruit-Producing Trees of North America

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