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Morus rubra

red mulberry

Moraceae Eastern and central North America

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Morus rubra is a deciduous tree reaching 35-50 feet (10-15 m) tall, occasionally to 70 feet (21 m), with a rounded, dense crown and a short trunk 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in diameter. Bark is grayish-brown with shallow furrows and scaly ridges. Leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, 3-7 inches (8-18 cm) long, with serrated margins and a rough, sandpapery upper surface; they may be unlobed or carry two to several mitten-shaped lobes on the same tree, turning yellow in autumn. Tiny greenish flowers appear in spring on hanging catkins, with male and female catkins usually on separate trees. Female trees produce cylindrical aggregate fruits 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3 cm) long that ripen from red to dark purple in early summer, edible and sweet. The wood is close-grained and durable in contact with soil. Growth rate is moderate to fast, with trees reaching bearing age in about 10 years. Ripe fruit drops heavily and stains pavement, walls, and vehicles beneath the canopy. The species hybridizes with the introduced Morus alba, and pure native populations have declined in many areas.

Native Range

Native to eastern and central North America, from southern Ontario and Vermont south to Florida and west to Nebraska and Texas. Grows in rich, moist soils of bottomlands, floodplains, and lower slopes in mixed hardwood forests, from sea level to about 2,000 feet (600 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted as a shade tree in large yards, parks, and naturalized areas, spaced 30-40 feet (9-12 m) apart. The fruit draws birds and other wildlife, suiting it to wildlife plantings and woodland edges. Heavy fruit drop and staining limit its use near patios, walkways, and driveways.

How to Identify

Identified by alternate leaves 3-7 inches (8-18 cm) long with a rough, sandpapery upper surface and a softer hairy underside, distinguishing it from the smoother, glossier leaves of Morus alba. Leaf shape varies from unlobed to mitten-shaped or multi-lobed on a single tree. Aggregate fruits 1-1.25 inches (2.5-3 cm) long ripen dark purple, longer than the shorter fruit typical of M. alba.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height35' - 50'

Width/Spread30' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Greenish catkins appear from March through May as the leaves expand, with timing varying by latitude. Male and female flowers usually grow on separate trees, so fruit forms only on female trees. The flowers are wind-pollinated and inconspicuous. Fruit ripens 4-6 weeks after flowering, in late May through June.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in deep, moist, well-drained loams, though it tolerates a range of soil textures. Water regularly during the first few years; established trees are moderately drought-tolerant but set more fruit with consistent moisture. The species is sensitive to root disturbance and transplants more reliably when young. Popcorn disease, which swells and deforms the fruit, and bacterial blight occur in wet seasons. Fallen fruit draws insects and stains pavement and walls beneath the canopy. Trees are sensitive to air pollution and decline in compacted urban soils.

Pruning

Prune in late winter during dormancy to remove dead, crossing, or weak branches; cuts made in late spring or summer cause heavy sap bleeding. The tree develops a rounded form with little shaping. Watersprouts and basal suckers can be removed as they appear. Heavy cuts stimulate vigorous regrowth.