🍎 Mulberry
Morus alba / M. rubra / M. nigra
fruits deciduous tree
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
moderate; drought-tolerant once established
🗺️ Zones
4–9 (varies by species)
🪴 Soil Type
adaptable; well-drained loam preferred
🧪 Soil pH
5.5–7.5
📏 Spacing
15-25 ft apart (tree; weeping varieties 10-15 ft)
📅 Days to Maturity
2-3 years (from planting); some cultivars fruit in first year
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit"]
🤝 Companions (7)
Potassium-rich mulch for heavy fruiting; pollinator support
🤝 Clover
Nitrogen fixer; groundcover under canopy
🤝 Garlic / Chives
Repel aphids; protect trunk
Groundcover; aphid trap
Beneficial insect habitat
🤝 Currant / Gooseberry
Tolerate partial shade under mulberry; complementary fruit production
🤝 Eleagnus (Goumi / Autumn Olive)
Nitrogen-fixing shrub companion; creates productive understory guild
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Walnut trees
Juglone — mulberries somewhat tolerant but perform poorly near walnuts
⚠️ Sidewalks / foundations
Aggressive root system will damage infrastructure — plant 30+ ft away
⚠️ Lawns directly under
Fruit drop can be messy; grass competition reduces tree vigor
💊 Medicinal Uses
Contains moracins, mulberroside A, and anthocyanins with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Rich in resveratrol (especially in leaves). Traditional Chinese Medicine: fruit used for anemia and constipation; leaf used for diabetes; bark used for respiratory issues. White mulberry leaf extract clinically used for blood sugar management. Root bark for toothache.