Everything You Need to Know About Everbearing Mulberry Trees
Written by
Everbearing mulberry trees live up to their name, yielding a bountiful crop of juicy reddish-black berries from summer to fall. The two most popular types, the dwarf everbearing mulberry and the Illinois everbearing mulberry, are both stunning specimen plants and can be a great focal point for any yard. The dwarf variety are compact and perfect for smaller gardens and privacy hedges, while the Illinois variety make a big statement. Whether you want to snack on fresh fruit, bake a tart, or dry out a goodie for later, mulberries are the fruit for you.
Everbearing Mulberry Trees at a Glance
Appearance
Everbearing mulberry trees can be trained into single-stemmed trees or grow in a rounded shape as multi-stemmed bushes. Their leathery green leaves fall in winter, and their tasty fruit is dark reddish-black, juicy, and about 1.5 inches long with a ripening season from late June to early fall.
Dwarf everbearing mulberry trees grow to a maximum height of 10-15 feet tall, with a spread of 15-20 feet. Illinois everbearing mulberry trees grow to 30-35 feet tall with a 30-35 foot spread.
Specifications
| Appearance | Naturally shrub-like, can be trained into trees with a rounded shape. Dark, reddish-black berries and deep green foliage |
|---|---|
|
Height |
Illinois: 30-35 feet tall; Dwarf: 10-15 feet tall |
|
Hardiness Zones |
Zones 5-10 |
|
Type of tree |
Deciduous |
|
Sunlight requirements |
Full sun to partial shade |
|
Soil composition |
Highly adaptable but prefers loamy, well-drained, moist soil with a pH between 5.5-7.0 |
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones indicate the regions where plants can grow based on minimum winter temperatures. Everbearing mulberry trees grow in Zones 5-10—across most of the country. They are able to tolerate cool and hot temperatures, and they are fairly drought-tolerant.
Planting
The best time to plant an everbearing mulberry tree is in spring or fall. We recommend these steps:
- Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade that is far away from buried utility lines or septic systems, as their fast-growing roots can cause serious damage.
- Clear away any weeds, debris, or turfgrass.
- Dig a hole twice the size and depth of the root ball.
- Remove the root ball from its container and loosen the roots gently.
- Place the root ball in the hole so that it is slightly above the level of the surrounding soil.
- Backfill the hole with soil, tamping down gently as you go to make sure there are no air pockets.
- Soak your everbearing mulberry tree when you are finished.
Growing Conditions
Everbearing mulberry trees are vigorous and low-maintenance, able to adapt to a variety of soil types.
Sun and shade
These trees thrive with six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day or partial shade.
Soil
Everbearing mulberry trees prefer well-draining, moist, loamy soil with a pH between 5.5-7. However, they can also grow in sandy and clay soil.
Watering
Newly planted everbearing mulberry trees need to be watered regularly to establish a strong root system. Once established, mulberry trees are relatively drought-tolerant. They benefit from about one inch of water per week.
Fertilizing
Everbearing mulberry trees should not be fertilized the first year of planting. Once they are established, fertilize in early spring when new growth begins every year, using a slow-release, balanced fertilizer with an NPK value of 10-10-10.
Pruning
Pruning your everbearing mulberry tree can lead to a robust branch framework. Only prune in winter, when the tree is dormant. Everbearing mulberry trees are prone to “bleeding,” or leaking sap. You don’t want to prune until the tree has fully stopped sap production in winter.
Harvesting
Everbearing mulberry trees are self-fertile, so you only need one to yield a crop. In general, it can take up to two to three years for everbearing mulberry trees to fruit. However, some nurseries carry everbearing mulberry trees that will fruit the first year. The trees bear fruit from June until September.
Everbearing mulberry fruits don’t even need to be picked— if you shake the tree lightly, they simply drop to the ground when they’re ripe. Many people leave a sheet beneath their tree during these months to collect the berries as they fall.
The fruit is excellent for snacking, baking into tarts or pies, creating jams and preserves, or even fermenting sweet wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do dwarf everbearing mulberry trees grow?
The dwarf variety grows to a maximum height of 10-15 feet tall.
Can you eat from a mulberry tree?
Mulberries are edible, whether you want to eat them fresh from the tree or use them for cooking.
How do you take care of a mulberry tree?
Make sure to plant your everbearing mulberry tree in a well-draining, loamy soil in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. Fertilize once a year in spring, water weekly, and be sure to only prune in winter when the tree is dormant.
Do mulberry trees have invasive roots?
Yes, their roots are invasive, so you should avoid planting them near buried utility lines or septic systems.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.