Wood Properties of the Fruitless Mulberry Tree

Mulberry trees are native to both North America and Asia. In North America, the fruitless tree is found mainly in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. In Asia, the mulberry tree is the only food of the silkworm. A favored shade tree, growing from 20 to 60 feet tall at maturity, the fruitless mulberry is used extensively in both urban and country landscapes. Drought and heat tolerant, the mulberry tree tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and is resistant to many common tree diseases.

Mulberry wood

The mulberry tree (Morus alba) is a deciduous species with bright green, lobed leaves of various sizes and shapes, all on the same tree. The tree produces heavy, gnarled surface roots that are harvested and used for lamp bases, picture frames or other artistic home decor items. The roots are scraped or peeled to expose the fine wood grain and color of the wood--a brilliant yellow sapwood with a pale tan heart. Mulberry wood will darken when exposed to sunlight.

Pliability

Mulberry wood is frequently used for sports equipment.Mulberry wood, also called murrey, is prized for its use in crafting fine furniture. Fruitless mulberry wood is tight-grained, attractive and easy to work with. Mulberry wood bends and forms easily with heat or steam. Similar to ash, mulberry has a "springy" quality that makes the wood a favorite for manufacturing sports equipment such as baseball bats and bows. The wood can be readily turned on a lathe without splitting.

Other Uses

Mulberry wood barrels

Mulberry wood is also used extensively in the manufacture of agricultural implements and barrels. Because mulberry wood is easily bent and formed, it lends itself to rounded configuration of barrels, buckets and yokes. The pliable, easily bent twigs of the mulberry tree are often used to make beautiful baskets. The twigs have a deep reddish-gold coloration and twisted character prized by wood artisans.

Sap

Mature mulberry tree

Mulberry trees produce a thick milky sap when cut. The sap makes the tree somewhat difficult to cut and will damage saw blades. The sap is difficult to remove from hands and clothing.

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Red Mulberry Tree Facts

The red mulberry tree differs from its close cousin, the white mulberry, in that it is a native tree, growing in much of the eastern United States. Red mulberry trees produce a fruit that is an ingredient in jams, muffins, pies, and many other recipes.

Leaves

The red mulberry is easily identified by an unusual aspect of its leaves--on the same tree, the leaves can have very different shapes, some oval and others having two or more lobes.

Size

The trunk of the typical red mulberry has a diameter between 2 and 3 feet. The height of the tree can be between 60 and 70 feet if the mulberry grows in an open area.

Texture

The upper side of a red mulberry leaf feels rough to the touch. On the other side, the leaf is fuzzy.

Berries

The juicy berries ripen to a dark red-black color during the summer and grow as long as 1.5 inches.

Sexes

You can tell the sex of a mulberry tree by its flowers. The tree is dioecious, which means it has male or female reproductive parts. The males have flowers that are cream colored, while the female has flowers that are green; only the female mulberry tree will develop fruit

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Mulberry Tree Facts II

Mulberry trees are originally native to Eastern and Central China and later spread to Europe. Nowadays, this loved tree and its berries have been introduced to many countries around the world.

Mulberries.

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Types

The mulberry tree has two main species, native red mulberry (Morus Rubra) and Asian white mulberry (Morus Alba). Other species include the American and black mulberry while cross species exist, as well.

Height

Mulberry tree heights vary depending on the species. White mulberry trees can grow between 40 feet to 80 feet tall and the native red mulberry grows up to 70 feet tall. The smallest mulberry tree, the black mulberry, typically grows as a bush that measures 30 feet high.

Flowers

From the flowers it can be determined that mulberry trees are dioecious or monoecious, male or female, and sometimes will change from one sex to another. Round female flowers are the ones that will become the fruit or the berries.

Fruits

White mulberries are white with visible little black seeds on the outside of the berry. Red mulberries become dark purples, almost black when ripe and start to fall off of the tree themselves.

Growing Facts

Mulberry trees need space, a lot of sun, and can take up to 10 years to grow fruit. They should be planted at least 15 feet apart giving each tree adequate space.

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