White Mulberry

White Mulberry (Morus alba var. tatarica) is a fast growing shade tree with a broad spreading canopy and sweet white to pink fruit that attracts birds. The fruit ripens from late spring into early summer.

Native to China, White Mulberry has a long history in sericulture because its leaves are the primary food of silkworms. This hardier Tatarian form has been widely grown beyond its native range.

It is reliably hardy to Zone 4 and is the White Mulberry we recommend for prairie trials. Zone 3 remains borderline and calls for a sheltered microclimate. Our nursery grown seedlings have survived here, but we are still evaluating their long term hardiness.

White Mulberry can naturalize aggressively in warmer regions and can hybridize with threatened native Red Mulberry, especially in Ontario, so it should be planted only where appropriate.

Cold Hardiness Zone: 4
Mature Size: 30 to 50 ft tall, 20 to 40 ft wide