Mulberry
Morus spp.
Heavy crops with no fuss; birds plant them everywhere.
Hardiness: zones 5 to 10
Light: full sun
Size: about 25 ft tall, 20 ft wide
Harvest: June to August
From: Asia and North America
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, wildlife.
Hardy in zones 5 to 10.
The story
Red mulberry (M. rubra) is native to Ohio; white mulberry (M. alba) comes from China. Silkworms eat only white mulberry leaves.
Planting
Full sun. Soil: any (pH 6.0–7.5). Spacing: 15 ft. Pollination: most garden varieties are self-fruitful.
Growing
Water: drought tolerant. Winter: Prune to keep it reachable. Spring: Very tough. Summer: Spread a sheet underneath and shake the branches to harvest. Fall: Little to do.
Harvest and use
Harvest: June–July. First crop: 2–3 years.
What to watch for
Birds. Purple stains on the patio.
See if Mulberry fits your yard
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home