Description
Latin: Morus rubra
Zones: 4-8
Other common names: Red Mulberry
Mature Height: 10-25′
Soil / Climate: Native to Eastern North America, Red mulberry grows on a variety of moist soils. Seeds are carried great distances by birds so trees may be found on any soil that is not too dry. It grows best in open conditions but is tolerant of shade.
Notes: Self pollinating. Ripe fruit is dark red to purple-black.The fruit is similar in appearance to a blackberry, edible and very sweet with a good flavor. Not all the berries on a tree ripen at once, which means the berries can be harvested over a month’s time in early summer. The fruit is used in pies, tarts, cobblers and raw in a similar way to blackberries.
Wildlife: Berries are chiefly eaten by  thrushes, robins, waxwings, vireos, orioles, cardinals, and finches, among others and also enjoyed by mammals such as squirrels, opossums, fox, skunks and raccoons. Deer browse on the twigs and foliage, while beaver consume the bark
Gary Wilson –
Bought 25 for our conservation commission and planted in our community garden in the spring, in containers set into the ground. These looked like 6″ twigs and one of our group asked if we planted toothpicks! By the end of the summer with weekly watering, they had grown to 2-3′, roots were busting out of the bottoms, and they bushed out nicely! We did lose 7 which never really took off, but CSF has credited us for next year. These have now been planted across 4 different preserves and all have set nice buds for next year. Very pleased with the plants and service.
Rich B –
I purchased 2 in late spring 2021. The only size available was small, and the trees arrived in a dormant state. As the prior reviewer stated, their appearance was not especially impressive. I planted them in full sun, used a 5’ tree tube with each, and watered them every other day. It took a few weeks, but the buds turned green and the trees sprang to life. My advice is to be patient while they wake from dormancy— they are alive, have faith and keep them watered. By late summer these trees were growing faster than any tree I’ve ever planted. Today is October 19. Both trees are above the 5’ tree tubes and are thriving. I am very impressed and sincerely believe fruit isn’t far off.
SAM in SC –
Ordered 42 red mulberries 6-12″ due to the great volume discount offered by Cold Stream Farm in Spring ’21, all arrived safely in the best packaging I’ve seen in any bare root shipment and all with massive root systems. Initial placement in my prop beds where 90% of them leafed out as soon as it warmed up. Planted out a couple dozen between the front and back yards with so-so soil, all took off and averaged about 6 feet tall by the end of their first growing season before winter pruning with minimal fertilizing. The other dozen or so I left in the propegation bed, which has way better soil but still minimal fertilization, and…this is no joke…half of them topped out between 9-10 feet tall after just one growing season! To say these bare root seedlings make healthy and vigorous trees might be the gardening understatement of the decade. Best purchase I EVER made from ANY vendor for ANY kind of fruit tree. Well done Cold Stream Farm!