ENH-567

Morus alba Fruitless Cultivars: White Mulberry1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

1. This document is ENH-567, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.

IntroductionThis group of mulberries is fruitless, a definite plus when compared to the mess created by the abundant fruits of the common white mulberry. The plant quickly forms a dark green mass of foliage from a short trunk, or group of trunks. This gives many people reason to plant the tree. However, it is quite sensitive to ice damage, has invasive surface roots and drops leaves in summer.

General InformationScientific name: Morus albaPronunciation: MOE-russ AL-buhCommon name(s): White mulberryFamily: Moraceae

USDA hardiness zones: 3B through 9B (Fig. 2)Origin: not native to North AmericaInvasive potential: little invasive potentialUses: shade; specimen; bonsaiAvailability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

DescriptionHeight: 20 to 30 feetSpread: 30 to 45 feetCrown uniformity: irregularCrown shape: round, spreadingCrown density: denseGrowth rate: fastTexture: coarse

Figure 1. Middle-aged Morus alba fruitless cultivars: White Mulberry

Figure 2. Range

2Morus alba Fruitless Cultivars: White Mulberry

FoliageLeaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)Leaf type: simpleLeaf margin: lobed, serrate, dentateLeaf shape: ovateLeaf venation: pinnateLeaf type and persistence: deciduousLeaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches, 4 to 8 inchesLeaf color: greenFall color: yellowFall characteristic: showy

FlowerFlower color: greenFlower characteristics: not showy

FruitFruit shape: no fruitFruit length: no fruitFruit covering: no fruitFruit color: no fruitFruit characteristics: no fruit

Trunk and BranchesTrunk/bark/branches: branches droop; showy; typically one trunk; thornsPruning requirement: needed for strong structureBreakage: susceptible to breakageCurrent year twig color: green, grayCurrent year twig thickness: thinWood specific gravity: unknown

CultureLight requirement: full sun, partial sun, or partial shadeSoil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; alkaline; extended flooding; well-drainedDrought tolerance: highAerosol salt tolerance: unknown

OtherRoots: not a problemWinter interest: noOutstanding tree: noOzone sensitivity: sensitiveVerticillium wilt susceptibility: resistantPest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and ManagementFruitless white mulberry should be grown in full sun or partial shade on any well-drained soil. Although it is tolerant of air pollution and dry conditions, the tree will perform its best on moist soils. Leaves often drop in dry weather.

The species is invasive and gruits cause a mess on walks and driveways. For this reason, only fruitless cultivars are recommended.

Propagation is by cuttings or grafts.

Fruitless cultivars include ‘Bellaire’, ‘Chaparral’, ‘Hempton’, ‘Stribling’, and ‘Urban’.

PestsPests are scale and mites.

DiseasesLeaf spot, bacterial blight, powdery mildew, and cankers may infect this tree.

Figure 3. Foliage