Red mulberry trees (Morus rubra), 18-24"
Morus rubra, also known as the red mulberry or American mulberry, is a deciduous tree native to North America. With its distinctive dark red fruit and deep green foliage, it is a popular choice for gardens and landscaping.
Characteristics:
- Growing up to 50 feet tall and wide, the red mulberry tree is a medium-sized tree with a round canopy and a straight trunk.
- Its leaves are large and dark green, with a rough texture and a slightly serrated edge. They turn yellow in the fall before dropping off for the winter.
- The red mulberry tree produces clusters of small, reddish-purple flowers in the spring, which give way to round, red fruit in the summer. The fruit is sweet and juicy, making it a favorite of birds and other wildlife.
Native Habitat:
- The red mulberry tree is native to the eastern and central parts of the United States, ranging from Maine to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas.
- It is found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, and along riverbanks and streams.
- The tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate partial shade, but it thrives in full sun.
Uses:
- In addition to its ornamental value, the red mulberry tree has a number of known uses.
- The fruit of the red mulberry tree can be eaten fresh or used in jams, jellies, and pies.
- The tree's wood is soft and lightweight, making it suitable for use in paper production and as a firewood.
- The leaves of the red mulberry tree are used in traditional medicine as a treatment for various ailments, including coughs, colds, and diarrhea.
History:
- The red mulberry tree has a long history of use by indigenous peoples in North America. The fruit was a staple food for many Native American tribes, who also used the tree's bark and leaves for medicinal purposes.
- The tree was also used as a natural dye by some Native American cultures, with the fruit being used to produce a reddish-purple color.
- Today, the red mulberry tree is widely cultivated for its ornamental value and as a source of fruit.
Keywords:
- Morus rubra
- Red mulberry tree
- American mulberry
- Deciduous tree
- Fruit tree
- Landscaping
- Garden plant
- Native plant
- Woodland tree
- Forest tree
- Well-drained soil
- Partial shade
- Full sun
- Ornamental value
- Fruit production
- Wood production
- Medicine
- Traditional medicine
- Native American uses
- Dye production
- Cultivation