Mulberry: The Silk-Industry Tree
The white mulberry feeds silkworms — its leaves built the Chinese silk trade. The fruit is delicious. The 5,000-year story.
The white mulberry (Morus alba) is the only food of the silkworm (Bombyx mori). For over 5,000 years Chinese agriculture has revolved around growing white mulberries to feed silkworms — the foundation of the silk trade. The fruit, though secondary to the leaves, is sweet, abundant, and dyes everything it touches deep purple.
Origin and history
White mulberry is native to China; cultivation for silk worm feeding dates back 5,000 years. Black mulberry (Morus nigra) is native to western Asia and was prized in Roman and medieval European gardens for its fruit alone. Red mulberry (Morus rubra) is native to eastern North America.
Where mulberries grow today
China, India, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Italy all grow mulberries — primarily for fruit and shade, with some still for silk. Mulberry trees are also widely planted as ornamentals.
How to grow mulberries
USDA Zones 4-10. Fast-growing tree (10-15m). Tolerates a wide range of soils. Full sun. Self-fertile. First fruit in 3-5 years.
Bottom line
One mature mulberry tree feeds a family of birds — and a family of humans, if you can keep the birds off. Choose fruitless varieties for landscaping or fruiting varieties for harvest.