Red Mulberry Tree – Morus Rubra – Fast Growing Fruit Tree – Bare Root

Overview

Bring the joy of fresh, homegrown fruit to your garden with a red mulberry tree. Scientifically known as Morus rubra, this native North American species is a highly desirable addition to any landscape, offering both aesthetic beauty and a bounty of delicious, purple-black fruit. This adaptable and fast growing fruit tree quickly establishes itself, providing a rewarding experience for both seasoned gardeners and beginners alike. The Red Mulberry is renowned for its hardiness and trouble-free nature, making it an excellent choice for those looking to cultivate their own edible landscape. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy fresh mulberries straight from the branch or use them in various culinary delights like pies, jams, and preserves.

The red mulberry tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree that typically reaches heights of 25-40 feet, developing a sturdy trunk and a gracefully rounded, densely branched crown. Beyond its fruit-bearing capabilities, the Morus rubra enhances your yard with lush foliage, providing shade and visual appeal. This particular offering is for a bare root mulberry, shipped in its dormant state, ready for planting during the ideal season to ensure optimal growth and establishment.

Key Benefits

Growing a red mulberry tree offers numerous advantages, transforming your outdoor space into a productive and vibrant ecosystem. From its delectable fruit to its environmental contributions, this tree is a truly valuable investment for your garden.

• Delicious Edible Fruit: Enjoy an abundant harvest of sweet, juicy, purple-black mulberries. These versatile berries are perfect for fresh eating, baking into pies and muffins, or making homemade jams and preserves.
• Fast Growth Rate: Experience quick results with this fast growing fruit tree. It establishes rapidly, meaning you can look forward to fruit production within just a few years of planting.
• Highly Adaptable: The morus rubra is incredibly resilient, thriving in a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions. This adaptability makes it a versatile choice for many climates and garden settings.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the red mulberry tree requires minimal care, making it an ideal option for gardeners who prefer a less demanding fruit tree. It’s suitable for both experienced and novice growers.
• Attracts Wildlife: Enhance your garden’s biodiversity by attracting birds and other beneficial wildlife. These creatures are drawn to the tree’s fruit, adding natural vibrancy to your outdoor space.
• Shade and Beauty: Beyond its fruit, the mature red mulberry tree provides ample shade and contributes significant aesthetic value to your landscape with its attractive foliage and stately form.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your red mulberry tree is straightforward, especially given its hardy and adaptable nature. To ensure optimal growth and a bountiful harvest, understanding its basic needs is key. The Red Mulberry prefers a location that receives full to partial sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best fruit production. While it is adaptable to various soil types, well-drained soil is crucial to prevent root rot. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage, and sandy soils to enhance water retention.

Watering is important during the tree’s establishment period. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged for the first year or two after planting your bare root mulberry. Once established, the morus rubra is relatively drought-tolerant, though supplemental watering during extended dry spells will benefit fruit quality and yield. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer designed for fruit trees. Follow product instructions carefully to avoid over-fertilization. The Red Mulberry is generally hardy in USDA zones 4-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. Pruning, typically done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant, helps maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage better fruit production. This fast growing fruit tree is robust, but monitoring for common pests and diseases, though rare, will help ensure its long-term health.

Size & Details

The red mulberry tree is a moderately sized deciduous tree, typically maturing to a height of 25 to 40 feet with a spread often matching its height, creating a wide, rounded canopy. Its trunk can grow to be up to 3 feet in diameter, providing a substantial presence in the landscape. This offering is for a bare root mulberry, which means the tree is shipped without soil around its roots, in a dormant state (without leaves). This method is ideal for planting during the dormant season (late fall to early spring) as it minimizes transplant shock and allows the tree to focus its energy on root development once planted.

You can expect this fast growing fruit tree to begin producing fruit within a few years of planting, offering a relatively quick return on your gardening efforts. When planting, allow approximately 20 feet of space between trees to ensure ample room for optimal growth and fruit production. With proper care, your morus rubra will provide many years of delicious fruit and natural beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will my red mulberry tree get? A: A mature red mulberry tree typically grows to be between 25-40 feet tall with a similar spread, forming a stout trunk and a rounded, densely branched crown. It provides ample shade and fruit once established.
• Q: What kind of soil does a Morus rubra need? A: While adaptable to various soil types, the morus rubra prefers well-drained soil. Amending heavy clay or very sandy soils with organic matter can significantly improve its growth and fruit production.
• Q: How much sunlight does a fast growing fruit tree like this require? A: For optimal fruit production and vigorous growth, your red mulberry tree requires full to partial sun, meaning it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a bare root mulberry? A: The ideal time to plant a bare root mulberry is during its dormant season, which is typically in late fall after leaf drop or in early spring before new growth emerges.
• Q: How long does it take for a red mulberry tree to produce fruit? A: You can generally expect your red mulberry tree to start producing fruit within a few years of planting, offering a relatively quick reward for your gardening efforts.
• Q: Is the red mulberry tree suitable for beginner gardeners? A: Yes, the red mulberry tree is an excellent choice for both experienced and novice gardeners due to its adaptable nature and low maintenance requirements once established. It’s a forgiving tree that thrives with basic care.
• Q: Can I grow this fast growing fruit tree in a container? A: It is generally not recommended to grow a red mulberry tree in a pot long-term. Its extensive root system and mature size make it much better suited for planting directly in the ground to ensure its health and longevity.
• Q: What condition will my bare root mulberry arrive in? A: Your bare root mulberry will arrive in a dormant state, meaning it will not have leaves and its roots will be free of soil. This is a normal and healthy condition for bare root plants, ready for planting.