What is Weeping Mulberry: How to Care for a Weeping Mulberry Tree

Morus alba is the botanical name for the weeping mulberry. The valuable silkworms that adore mulberry leaves were once fed with it, but that is no longer the case. What then is a mulberry that weeps? Information on planting and caring for a weeping mulberry can be found in the following article.

A Weeping Mulberry: What Is It?

The mulberry, which is native to China, was brought in to feed the expanding silkworm trade. The tree quickly became naturalized and was viewed more as a weed because it is carefree, will grow in nearly any soil, and can even withstand some neglect. The tree is now fashionable once more thanks to the new cultivars of today, which range from fruitless types to hybrid dwarf varieties to weeping varieties. This hardy tree grows up to 10 feet (3 meters) in a single growing season in USDA zones 5-8. The weeping mulberry is an extremely ornamental plant with many weeping branches and a distinctive, twisted shape. A few varieties will reach up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) in height and 8 to 15 feet (2.5 to 4.5 meters) in width. The tree’s leaves are 2–7 inches (5–18 cm) long, dark green, and divided or lobed.

Regarding Planting Tearing Mulberry Trees

While planting a weeping mulberry tree, there are primarily two varieties to select from.

• The male Morus alba ‘Chaparral’ tree grows to a height of 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) and has glossy green leaves.
• M. alba ‘Pendula,’ a female tree, reaches a height of roughly 6-8 feet (2-2.5 m) and bears fruit.

Weeping Mulberry Fruit

Are weeping mulberry berries edible in terms of mulberry fruit? Yes, in fact. The fruit of weeping mulberries is succulent and sweet. Although they are so addictive when eaten fresh, it may be difficult to choose enough for those treats before devouring them all. They can be turned into desserts, jams, or jellies. Even black berries are not always fully ripe. When they reach their full size, give them a few more days to reach their sweetest point. To harvest the fruit, place a tarp or old sheet around the tree and tap its trunk or branches. This ought to be enough to agitate any ripe berries so they can be plucked off the tarp. Picking the berries should not be put off because the birds will get there first.

Care for Weeping Mulberry Trees

As previously mentioned, weeping mulberries can withstand a variety of growing environments. Plant them in full to partial sun in well-drained soil. It will require regular watering for the first few years of its life, but after it is established, the tree can withstand some drought. Cut a weeping mulberry’s summer growth in half in July if you want to slow down its rapid growth. This will encourage the tree to bush out and keep its height lower, making it easier to harvest berries. Because it often drops fruit, the tree can get very messy. Furthermore, mulberries have robust surface roots that could erode the surface if they are planted close to a driveway or sidewalk. The surface roots can also make lawn mowing difficult. Weeping mulberry trees require little care over time because they rarely have pest or disease problems.