Mulberry Trees

With more to them than leaves for silkworms, the Mulberry Tree also provides the home gardener to one of the tastiest fruits available. These are a large tree, slow growing after the initial growth spurt, and very long lived. Dwarf types are becoming available and are perhaps best suited to to most suburban back yards.

These trees provide us with a delicious berry, for eating or jam, and you really do need to grow your own for one simple reason. Mulberries are not readily available in fruit shops or markets as they are difficult to transport.

The trees themselves develop an interesting gnarled appearance over time, they do look great in a open space where the crown can be allowed to spread and the trunk becomes a feature.

Growing your own Mulberries is the alternative with black, red and white varieties being available for sale.

Mulberry Varieties

In Australia a number of varieties are available for sale.

1. ‘Hicks Fancy’ may be the tree of your childhood, it has been around a while and is large growing, masses of fruit and is an early ripening variety.
2. The ‘Black English’ produces sweeter fruit and it later to ripen, excellent for cooler climates.
3. ‘Beenleigh Black’ is a versatile tree, grows well in warmer climates and like most Mulberry trees is regarded as drought tolerant.
4. ‘Wellington’ is a sought after heavy cropping cultivar.
5. Morus macroura ‘Shatoot’ produces white to pale yellow fruit, very sweet.
6. Morus rubra, or the Red Mulberry is native to North America.

The well known Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) and the lesser known White Mulberry (Morus Alba) are also the trees that silkworms like.

Care

Mulberry trees are easy to grow and once established crop heavily. Dwarf varieties are available which are well suited to growing in containers. Full size trees will need at least 5m, however they can be pruned back after fruiting.

Full sun and some good compost each year will keep the trees happy. Water well for the first few years until a good root system is established. After this they need little extra care.

Although Mulberry trees make an excellent shade tree, they can also be pruned back each year to maintain a good size for fruiting. This makes it also a little easier to net the trees to keep the birds away.

Pruning

Pruning is carried out during dormancy, late autumn. Remember that these are a tree that fruit on new growth, so pruning will not harm the crop.

Mulberry trees are available for sale from the following nurseries and growers

YALCA FRUIT TREES- Ph : 03 58682062
Mail order fruit tree nursery with over 200 temperate climate fruit trees. 
Heritage varieties and dwarf fruit trees. Apple Trees, Stone Fruit, Nut Trees and Berry Fruit.
www.yalcafruittrees.com.au

ADELAIDE TREE FARM - phone 0452 667 175
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees. 
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au

TREEKEEPERS NURSERY- M 0407 611 349 - Bowral NSW 2576 
Field grown tree nursery, providing a full planning & implementation service, over 90 species and 25 years experience. Specialising in Maples, Oaks, Ash, Pistachia, Dogwood, Birch, Pear, Honey locust, Plane Elm and many more!
www.treekeepers.com.au

BLERICK TREE FARM 
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service. 
www.blericktreefarm.com.au