Black Mulberry fruit, ripe and unripe, at LCG January 2025 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
Black Mulberry
Morus nigra
Moraceae family
A deciduous tree. The fruit has a rich sweet flavour, and is many folks childhood favourite. Pick when the fruit is ripe - dark purple, almost black. If you are new to this fruit be sure not to wear your Sunday best, as stains will not impress whoever does the washing in your house!
Often made into wine; used also in tea, smoothies, jam, jellies, pies and frozen desserts, or dried and eaten as a snack. Mulberries are considered one of nature's superfoods with many health benefits, but be sure to consume in moderation as too many can give you a tummy ache.
The leaves are the only known food source for silkworms. Native to southwest Asia & the Iberian Peninsular.
Tree maintenance
Morus nigra
Moraceae family
A deciduous tree. The fruit has a rich sweet flavour, and is many folks childhood favourite. Pick when the fruit is ripe - dark purple, almost black. If you are new to this fruit be sure not to wear your Sunday best, as stains will not impress whoever does the washing in your house!
Often made into wine; used also in tea, smoothies, jam, jellies, pies and frozen desserts, or dried and eaten as a snack. Mulberries are considered one of nature's superfoods with many health benefits, but be sure to consume in moderation as too many can give you a tummy ache.
The leaves are the only known food source for silkworms. Native to southwest Asia & the Iberian Peninsular.
Tree maintenance
- Prune after fruiting, leaving 2-3 nodes on each branch.
- Cut back hard in winter to an 'open vase' framework.
- Feed in early spring with a high potassium general organic fertiliser - after which apply a mulch of organic compost or well-rotted manure, around the base of the tree, but not right up to the trunk.
- Water during dry periods.
Black Mulberry at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Black Mulberry after pruning at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
