White Mulberry

Planted at Mount Vernon

Hardiness Zones

Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

Mulberry trees can be found throughout North America in fencerows, abandoned fields, and urban areas, due to the propensity for their seeds to be spread by birds who ravenously feed on the fruit. The glossy, serrated leaves take different forms on the same tree, generally undivided or distinctly lobed, and the inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers in drooping catkins on female trees give way to edible blackberry-like fruits that mature in June.

Latin Name

Morus alba

Family

Moraceae

Also Known As

Mulberry

Type of Plant

Trees

Fruits

Bloom Season

March - April

Seasons

Summer

Specifications

Max Height: 50'

Max Spread: 50'

Sunlight Exposure

Full Sun

Part Shade

Tolerances

Drought

Attracted Wildlife

Birds

Colors

Native Range

China

History

The leaves of the mulberry tree have been used in China since at least 2600 B.C. as the primary diet for silkworms, and during colonial times the trees were introduced into North America in an effort to establish a silk industry. Washington received 100 white mulberry trees from Aspinwalls Nursery in Connecticut, which he instructed his farm manager, Anthony Whitting, to “plant about in clumps.”

Other Details

Pollinator

Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

Bring Washington's Garden Home

Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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