MULBERRY
From Grapevine, June 2022
Mulberry trees
by Robin Guy
It is not too difficult to grow mulberries, but there are a few things you need to know to get started. Plant mulberries in the spring or fall. But, since some varieties drop berries that stain, and the roots can spread up to 100-feet or more, therefore, it is not recommended that you plant them near your sidewalk, driveway, irrigation or patio. Avoid planting invasive mulberries. The trees also grow quite large, although there are dwarf varieties.
Mulberries prefer full sun, but some varieties also thrive in part shade. Mulberries like moist, well-drained soil and prefer a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
The easiest way to grow mulberries is to buy (or be gifted!) young trees. New branch cutting is also a reliable method. Trim a 12-inch branch with at least 3 buds in the early summer. Plant the entire branch 3-inches deep in amended soil. Keep moist for a month until shoots form. Transplant these shoots once they are 4-inches tall. If you have healthy soil, your mulberries may not need much additional fertilizer.
Try just mulching around the trees with compost in the spring only. In the beginning, while the tree is young, make sure they receive about one-inch of water per week. Once they are established, they are fairly drought resistant. Mulberries aren’t much bothered by pests and diseases. In some areas, mulberries are susceptible to canker. Canker causes the leaves to wilt, the bark to peel, and a black mass of spores on the bark and branches. You can resolve this by trimming out the affected branches. Mulberries can also get powdery mildew, though it isn’t common. Treat fungus with a hydrogen peroxide-based spray if you see it forming.
Invasive Mulberries are the white fruited mulberries (Morus alba), not the black or red varieties. Mulberry trees grow 5-10 feet per year, so it can be very helpful to prune (pollard) them severely when dormant. This controls their height and, since they fruit on first year wood, it keeps the fruit low enough to pick easily.
https://midfex.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Grapevine-June-2022.pdf
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