The mulberry tree is a beautiful, fast-growing deciduous tree that can be grown from cuttings.
They are easy to maintain as long as you water them regularly and fertilize them occasionally.
If you're interested in learning how to grow your mulberry tree, this post will show you the steps involved.
How to grow a mulberry tree from cuttings?
Mulberry trees are a delicious treat in late spring and summer.
Grown from the ground up, these fast-growing deciduous trees reach heights of 20 to 60 feet at maturity depending on variety, which is perfect for climbing.
The sweet berries come ripe around this time as well, with a similar appearance to blackberries.
Mulberry roots thrive best when planted under bright sunlight and well-drained soil conditions that allow them space enough to grow freely without any unnecessary maintenance needed - making it an easy-care plant all year round.
Though typically propagated by seed, Mulberry trees can be grown quickly and reliably through the use of softwood cuttings.
Mulberries are hardy in USDA zones 4-8, with most varieties being suitable for zone 5 climates.
Cut the bottom half of your plant and remove any blooms, buds, or leaves.
Dip the cut part in rooting hormone and then fill up a pot with good quality soil but not too wet as you want it to be on the dry side so perlite can improve drainage by making sure water doesn't stay there for long periods.
Dig holes with a small stick or the dull end of a pencil.
Place several plants in each container as long as their leaves don't touch one another.
When planting, make sure to plant them at about 1/3rd length into the ground, so they stand up nicely and firmly pat down the soil around it for support.
Use a container for the cuttings.
Cover with plastic and tape edges to avoid dirtying leaves or poking through them (add sticks if necessary).
Place in bright, indirect sunlight-avoid direct light as this may scorch new growths.
Watch the potting mixture every day.
If it begins to feel dry, spray with a mist from your water bottle.
Keep an eye out for heavy drops of moisture on the inside plastic and poke some holes in there if you need more ventilation or open up the top of that bag every once in a while so things can air out.
Give roots time to grow by digging one up after three weeks; they should be about 1/2 inch long when ready before removing their temporary home--the clear plastic.
Let young mulberry trees acclimate themselves outside into cooler, drier climates for four days before planting them outdoors permanently.
Mulberry tree cuttings should be planted in pots that contain commercial potting soil, preferably ones with a drainage hole at the bottom.
The mulberries need indirect sunlight to keep them out of the direct sun.
When it warms up outside, bring your new plants outdoors.
How to Prune Mulberry Trees?
The mulberry tree is a remarkable specimen.
If you can withstand the smell, I recommend that you try your hand at growing one yourself.
These trees can grow back from major cuts without fail, and they produce delicious fruit all year round.
You may want to take some cuttings first, though, since large mature specimens like yours might not be so lucky in this case of emergency pruning due to their age.
If you happen to own Mulberry Trees, it may be a good idea to chop them down at 4' and let the tree grow from there.
From what I've seen in my trees, they recover remarkably well from injury (lacerations or pruning injuries).
It's safest to cut back like that while dormant - just before the spring flush of sap when leaves are pouring out healthy green life-giving juice left and right.
If done during this time frame, then yes, your mulberries will likely come back.
Down south, where these trees are relatively young, regular cutting is normal.
Most people do not have large enough properties for their needs nor can afford larger fruit-bearing plants, which entails more responsibility with fewer yield benefits.
How to care for Mulberry Trees?
Mulberry trees are a large part of the American South and have been used for generations to harvest their fruit.
Mulberries, or more specifically black mulberries (Morus nigra) in particular, can produce up to 60 pounds per tree when given enough water and fertilizer over time.
To ensure your Mulberry has these nutrients it needs, you should fertilize with NPK 10-10-10 once every year during wintertime by watering around the canopy evenly so that there is no buildup near the trunk where roots reside.
This could otherwise cause damage, which would be detrimental as they help move water and minerals from deep within the earth's surface into leaves.
Mulberry trees are low-maintenance plants, thriving in most conditions.
To ensure that your mulberry tree is healthy and happy for many years to come, you should fertilize once per year at the beginning of March or July with plenty of water afterward.
Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead your tree to become rootless due to overwatering during hot summers.
Water twice each week if planted on light soils and just once a week when surrounded by clay soil since it retains more moisture than other types of ground coverings such as sand or pebbles do.
Mulberry trees need a lot of water, but you can reduce the work that it takes to give them what they need by ensuring at least 1 inch of rain in your area and watering with care.
If not receiving enough water leads to fruit falling from the tree prematurely, avoid dry spells by letting your garden hose trickle slowly so that the roots can absorb as much moisture as possible instead of running off.
Pruning your Mulberry trees is a great way to keep them healthy and tidy.
Cutting away dead, diseased, or crossed branches can be done in winter when the tree is dormant for an easy harvest later on.
Prune during mid-summer sparingly so that you don't disturb all of next year's fruit buds.
Cuts should follow the natural shape of the tree and never exceed 2 inches in diameter.
To avoid a bloody battle, prune your mulberry tree with only five cuts.
Cuts that are 2 inches in diameter or larger and bleed can leave them vulnerable to disease and fungi, which they will not heal from.
How to harvest mulberries?
Mulberries are delicious with a sweet, soft exterior and tangy flavor.
To pick them fresh from the tree, lay down an old sheet or tarp under the Mulberry's branches before shaking gently to dislodge ripe berries that fall onto your makeshift catch-all material.
Alternatively, you can handpick mulberries by reaching up into the trees' boughs but be careful not to break any off prematurely - they need time on their branch for optimal ripening.
When picking fruit in quantity, it is best practice to layer one at a time to avoid crushing sensitive lower levels of produce beneath more heavy fruits like apples.
This also avoids mixing flavors between types of products which may detract from each food item's taste profile.
Unwashed berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a few days.
If you're worried about freshness, wash and dry them before storing them in freezer bags, where they'll last several months or longer.
Conclusion
Mulberry trees are a wonderful addition to any yard.
They provide shade, fruit, and beauty.
If you want one of your own but find it difficult to purchase them from nurseries or garden centers, consider these methods for growing mulberries from cuttings taken in early spring.