Should You Grow a Mulberry Tree? Pros and Cons

If you’ve ever enjoyed the sweet-tart flavor of a mulberry fresh from the tree, or enjoyed watching colorful songbirds feasting on the fruits, you might have considered planting your own mulberry tree. But should you? Mulberry trees are fast-growing and beautiful, but they can also be messy and invasive. Here’s what to consider before you plant one.

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Mulberry Tree Types

Though there are many species of mulberry tree, these are the most popular in the U.S.

White Mulberry

• Botanical name: Morus alba
• Size: Up to 50 feet high and wide
• Foliage: Large, glossy, rounded, 2 to 3 lobed
• Flowers: Small yellowish-green catkins that bloom in early spring
• Fruit: 1-inch blackberry-like drupe (female trees only), usually ripens in early summer to white or pink, but can be dark purple. Edible, but less sweet and juicy than red or black mulberry.

Native to Asia, white mulberry was introduced for silkworm cultivation and now grows across U.S. zones 3-9. This fast-growing tree thrives in sunny, moist sites but is invasive in many areas, displacing native species.

Red Mulberry

• Botanical name: Morus rubra
• Size: 35 to 40 feet tall and wide
• Foliage: Large, somewhat heart-shaped, toothed margin, often lobed on newer growth and unlobed on crowns
• Flowers: Small yellowish-green catkins that bloom in early spring
• Fruit: 1-inch blackberry-like drupe (female trees only), reddish to dark purple

Red mulberry is native to the eastern U.S., from Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Texas and South Dakota. It loves rich, well-drained soils in full sun (tolerates part shade). Fruits are edible when fully ripe; unripe fruits are mildly toxic.

Black Mulberry

• Botanical name: Morus nigra
• Size: 35 to 50 feet tall and wide
• Foliage: Large heart-shaped leaves are downy underneath, with a rough, hairy upper surface
• Flowers: Small yellowish-green catkins that bloom in early spring
• Fruit: 1-inch edible blackberry-like drupe (female trees only), reddish to dark purple

Black mulberry is native to southwest Asia, and can be invasive in some areas in the U.S. It loves full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soils. Most consider the fruit juicier and better-tasting than white mulberries.

Texas Mulberry

• Botanical name: Morus microphylla
• Size: 25 feet tall and wide
• Foliage: Smaller leaves than other mulberries, around 2 1/2 inches, toothed margin and extended tip
• Flowers: Small yellowish-green catkins that bloom in early spring
• Fruit: 1/2-inch edible blackberry-like drupe (female trees only), dark purple to black when fully ripe

This native mulberry grows in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona south through Mexico as far as Costa Rica. It loves arid climates, and is naturally smaller than other mulberries. The fruit is edible but sour, and ripens in May. Texas mulberry prefers dry soil and part shade to thrive.

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Mulberry Tree Pros and Cons

In the right spot, mulberries attract fruit-loving birds including the beloved cedar waxwing. They provide sweet, vitamin-rich berries for jams, jellies, or fresh eating, and some research even indicates potential cancer-fighting properties!

However, mulberry trees aren’t right for every landscape. They’re messy, dropping fruit that stains fabric, skin, and pavement, and visiting birds leave their own messes. Male trees can trigger allergies, and in many regions, mulberries’ aggressive growth and herbicide resistance make them invasive. Their shallow roots and bird-dispersed seeds help them spread quickly, and once established, they’re difficult to remove.

Mulberry Tree Care and Considerations

Before planting a mulberry tree, visit a local native plant nursery or talk to your county extension office to see what they recommend. If they give you the go-ahead, plant native species or non-invasive cultivars in the spring or fall. Give them as much sun as possible and plenty of room to grow, but avoid planting over driveways, sidewalks, or decks and patios where dropped fruits can create mess and stains.

Water regularly during the first year, then only during dry spells. Prune in winter to shape and control size, and remove unwanted seedlings each spring to prevent spreading. In the right place, mulberry trees will reward you with fruit and bird visitors for years to come!

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Mulberry Tree FAQ

How long does it take for a newly planted tree to produce fruit?

Mulberry trees grown from seed generally take five to 10 years to flower and fruit. Those produced by grafting may begin fruiting within one to two years.

What season do they bloom and produce berries?

Mulberry trees bloom in early spring in most areas, producing fruit in early summer. In southern areas, mulberries flower in late winter and produce berries by early to mid-spring, a welcome feast for migrating birds.

Do mulberry trees need a male and female to produce fruit?

No. Only female mulberry trees produce fruit. Male trees produce pollen but no berries.

Are there seedless/fruitless varieties?

Fruitless mulberry cultivars like ‘Bellaire’, ‘Chaparral’, ‘Hempton’, and ‘Urban’ are good shade trees without the mess of berries. Seedless or nearly-seedless mulberry varieties include ‘Illinois Everbearing’ and ‘Tehama.’

How do you remove a mulberry tree?

To remove a mulberry tree, cut it down close to the ground and immediately treat the stump with a brush killer containing glyphosate or triclopyr to prevent regrowth. For smaller trees, you may be able to dig up the roots. Mulberries resprout easily from any remaining roots, so remove new shoots promptly.

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Sources

• Missouri Botanical Garden – Morus alba
• Missouri Botanical Garden – Morus rubra
• Gardenia – Morus nigra
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Morus microphylla
• The Museum of Life and Science – Waxwings and Mulberries
• Healthline – Mulberry Nutrition and Benefits
• U.S Forest Service – Morus alba fruitless cultivars
• University of Illinois Extension – Controlling Unwanted White Mulberry in the Landscape