The Morus alba (white mulberry) and Morus rubra (red mulberry) hybrids (such as the Downing and Illinois Everbearing) are known for their large, sweet, fruit and hardiness.
If you are unsure of the pH of your soil, take a sample to the Cooperative Extension Agency in your county.
Chickens, turkeys and pigs enjoy mulberries so you can always choose to plant a mulberry tree where it will overhang and offer your animals a treat.
Avoid burying the root too deeply by making sure the top most roots are positioned at the soil line. Avoid adding fertilizer to the planting hole unless it is during an appropriate fertilization time. Fertilization is based on the age of the tree and can occur anywhere from February to August.
The time and frequency of adding fertilizer depends on the tree’s age. Most mulberry trees thrive with little to no fertilization. Fertilizing once per year should be fine. Avoid fertilizing more than twice a year and begin in March but no later than July. Fertilizing after August will result in freeze damage. [3] X Research source
You don’t need to manually water your tree if you receive at least 1 inch of rain in your area. [4] X Research source Fruit may fall from the tree prematurely if it doesn’t receive ample water. The best way to avoid dry spells is to let your garden hose slowly trickle to allow the water to penetrate the roots instead of running off.
You should need no more than 5 cuts to prune a healthy mulberry tree. Cuts over 2 inches in diameter can lead to bleeding, from which your tree is not likely to heal. They also leave your tree vulnerable to certain diseases and fungi.
When placing your fruit in a container, avoid layering too many or the berries at the bottom of the container will be crushed. Your unwashed harvest can be stored for several days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Your harvest can also be kept for several month by washing the berries, patting them dry, and placing them in freezer bags.
There’s no chemical control for sooty canker disease, so always make sure to prune dead branches as soon as you recognize them to avoid spreading the disease. Burn the diseased branches, too. Avoid over-watering and over-fertilizing as this stresses the tree and makes it more susceptible to disease. Always make sure you clean your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol after use. [8] X Research source
The disease isn’t harmful to the tree itself so if you aren’t interested in the fruit, you don’t have to worry about preventing the infection. You can also try spraying the tree with a Bordeaux mixture to treat the disease. However, it is often not effective because it is difficult to spray down the entire tree. [11] X Research source
Mixture ratios and spraying guidelines vary based on your tree. Be sure to read and follow printed instructions on the manufacturer’s bottle. [14] X Research source
