Building A Sustainable Nursery
Exploring Mulberries
Plant Profile & Native Range:
Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
Welcome to this week’s edition of our newsletter where I discuss the plant species that I will be growing for 2025 in the Backyard Nursery! We’re kicking off with a spotlight on the Red Mulberry.
As far as I’m aware there are 10-16 different species of mulberry throughout the world. Today I will be covering three main species of mulberry trees: Morus alba, Morus nigra, and our native Morus rubra.
While the White Mulberry (Morus alba) is the most widely known and has been historically cultivated for its role in silk production, the Red Mulberry stands out for its adaptability and role in local ecosystems.
Red Mulberry trees are native to the Eastern United States, thriving in a variety of environments from woodlands to urban areas. They produce dark, sweet berries that are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and even humans!
Storytime: A Walk in the Mulberry Patch
One of my favorite things about living near a local park is the beautiful walk around its track during late spring through early summer. Around this time, the ground is often covered with a rainbow of berries—black, red, and white—created by the mulberry trees lining the path.
The sight is stunning, but what’s even better is the taste. I’ve found that some trees produce sweeter fruit than others, and I make it a point to save seeds from the best-tasting specimens. It’s a fun way of selecting for traits I enjoy, essentially creating my own “breeding work” using my taste buds.
A fascinating historical tidbit: In the 1600s, Virginia’s legislature required every male resident to plant at least four white mulberry trees in an attempt to develop a local silk industry. This ambitious effort, came to be known as "mulberry mania" by 1830, and eventually faltered due to weather, disease, and labor shortage, but mulberry trees were planted across the Northeast and beyond.
Interestingly, Morus alba has since become quite widespread in North America, often straying beyond cultivation and naturalizing in many regions.
Despite being labeled invasive in my neck of the woods, I don’t see the need for mass eradication. After all, many native and non-native species have coexisted and thrived together for centuries. If indigenous communities weren’t concerned about “the nativeness” of their food plants, why should we be? At least that is my take.
Plant Propagation & Notes:
Mulberries are among the easiest trees to propagate, especially from seed. Unlike many species, they don’t require cold stratification, meaning you can plant them in the same summer they were harvested and watch them germinate within weeks—given the seed is viable, of course. This makes them a great option for beginners or those looking for quick results.
Because mulberries readily hybridize there is no real way to tell with 100% accuracy whether a plant is fully red mulberry or a hybrid swarm. I don’t claim to know which species my seed come from, only that they were tasty.
In addition to starting from seed, I've also begun experimenting with taking mulberry cuttings. It’s a first for me this season, and I’m excited to see how well it works. I’ve also heard of grafting mulberries, though I haven’t tried my hand at that technique just yet.
It’s important to note that mulberries are fast growers! In my own garden, I planted a potted mulberry just a few inches tall, and by the end of the growing season, it had grown to a height of four and a half feet. They’re very "weedy" in my area, which I enjoy, as they provide rapid growth and can quickly fill a space in the landscape.
Economics: A Mulberry Market w/ Potential
Mulberries are not only great for local wildlife and home gardeners, but they also hold an emerging potential for local markets. Depending on the species, mulberries ripen during the spring or summer. White and red mulberries tend to ripen by late spring, while black mulberries take longer and are ready mid-to-late summer.
Fresh mulberries are considered a delicate fruit, which has hindered their commercial production. However, I have read that there’s growing interest from high-end chefs, especially in California, where mulberries are fetching prices as high as $10 to $15 per pound. The key to success in this market is local sales—whether through farm stands, farmers’ markets, or specialty grocery stores.
Beyond the fresh fruit market, mulberries are packed with health benefits, particularly anthocyanins, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. This nutritional profile opens up niche marketing opportunities, especially in health-conscious communities.
One particularly intriguing variety is the Pakistan mulberry (Morus macroura var. Pakistan). Known for its long, firm fruit and rich flavor, it’s a perfect candidate for local markets. If you’re looking to diversify, this variety may pique the interest of curious customers!
Recipes to Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
Mulberries aren’t just for fresh snacking! They can be incorporated into a variety of dishes. Here are some fun recipes to try:
Stuffed Mulberry Leaves – A Turkish delicacy, these leaves are wrapped around a savory filling. For a twist, add a bit of spicy sausage to the mix.
Acorn Flour Pancakes with Mulberries – Add mulberries to your acorn pancake batter (or use your favorite pancake mix) for a unique flavor!
Mulberry Muffins – You can’t go wrong with a fresh batch of mulberry muffins.
For more inspiration, check out additional mulberry recipes here.
Wood Uses:
Though mulberry wood is not widely harvested due to the tree's size and scattered distribution, it’s highly prized when available. Mulberry wood is a domestic hardwood, known for its similarity to Osage Orange, though it’s lighter. Common uses include fence posts, furniture, and turned objects.
Useful Articles & Resources
Community Engagement: Your Voice Matters!
As I continue to build the Backyard Berry Nursery and develop this newsletter, your input is invaluable! I want to hear from you!
I posted a note yesterday calling on all mulberry enthusiasts to include their favorite stories or history including mulberry and yall didn’t disappoint on such short notice.
I plan to continue to find new ways to include you all in the formation of the newsletter and with the response I received on notes, I will continue doing callouts similar to the one above, so keep an eye out for that.
But now is your opportunity to cast your vote for next week’s crop profile.
Do you want to read about pear, pawpaw or aronia?
Your vote helps decide the future of the newsletter, so vote now and let your voice be heard!
Crop Profile Directory
If you’re enjoying this newsletter and want to learn more about the plants I will be growing and how to incorporate them, you’re in luck!
Below is a directory of the past three crop profiles. Feel free to browse and explore—happy reading! 👋
Thank you for being here with me on this journey of edible plants, sustainable practices, and the joys of nurturing local flora.
I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions! I’ll be back in your inbox next week! 👍🏼
Much love
Many blessings
Travis
P.S.
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So glad I found this on Adam's list. HUGE fan of mulberries! I have an Illinois Everbearing which I believe is grafted, so I doubt I'll be able to propagate. Do you know them? And I've tried propagating from wood without luck (too much neglect) but may also try some of our wild ones from seed. Thanks!
I’m hand-famous! 😂 That was a good day and some very tasty berries.
The Mulberry Mania snippet was a fun fact to learn!