White Mulberry

Morus alba

Moraceae (Fig Family)

▲▼ seedlings

▲▼ seedlings

▲ seedlings

▲ young plant in fallow field area in Missouri

▲  white mulberry trees had virtually no damage after 2007 ice storm in Springfield, MO

Location on or near Missouri State University campus:  a number of mature trees in the residential areas around campus, plus seedlings on campus and everywhere

White Mulberry:  (Not in Weeds of the Great Plains—nor Weeds of the Northeast)

·         small to medium sized tree with glossy green, deeply lobed to un-lobed leaves with serrate margins; leaf undersides lighter green ; petioles 0.5-1 inch long

·         twigs yellow-brown and bark becomes orange-brown and furrowed with age

·         wood is bright yellow

·         is dioecious, with female trees bearing elongated white, red or purple blackberry-like fruit favored by birds, who help distribute seeds

·         bulldozing, cutting do not kill;  will sprout back from roots, cut stumps

·         can be difficult to kill with herbicides—usually need repeated application along with cutting

·         initially brought over as a food source for silk worms from Asia, but escaped cultivation

·         male trees can be nice medium-sized landscape trees, and may have good yellow fall color

·         can hold up very well in ice storms, with very little damage or breakage