White Mulberry

White (Fruitless) Mulberry, Morus alba

White mulberry, while native to China, was introduced to North America during the seventeenth century. It was purposely propagated to promote a North American silk industry as the primary diet of silkworms are the leaves of white mulberry. While an American silk industry never flourished, white mulberry did. It can now be found throughout a vast portion of North America, often hybridizing with native mulberry species. In some areas, white mulberry is considered invasive.

Thin, flaky bark with orange visible in some ridges.

While able to grow in the shade of other trees, in ample conditions white mulberry may reach heights up to 15 m (50 ft). The species is most often dioecious, and the fruitless mulberry is the male of any variety of species, but is most commonly white mulberry. Both native mulberry species and white mulberry produce edible fruits. The wood is commonly used for sporting goods as it is durable and flexible, and the bark may be used for dye or to create a fiber for weaving. The leaves and fruits are consumed by a variety of wildlife species including deer, hogs, and birds.