Morus alba seeds - Mullberry

Morus alba, or white mulberry, also known as the common mulberry, is a tree that is both ornamental and fruit-bearing, highly valued in southern regions for its dense and lush deciduous foliage. Its leaves are pale green in spring and turn a beautiful golden hue in autumn. It produces pinkish-white to purplish-red, even blackish edible fruits, which are harvested in late spring. Their flavour is sweet and sugary, though slightly bland. It is very hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as -28°C and tolerates heat as well as drought. Its strong root system prefers deep but well-drained soils. For centuries, its leaves have been the primary food source for silkworms.

This common mulberry, native to Mongolia and India, belongs to the Moraceae family, like fig trees, and contains latex in its tissues. Introduced to France in the late 15th century, it fostered the development of sericulture, or silkworm farming. Its natural habit is stocky, with a short, thick trunk topped by a spreading and slightly irregular crown if the tree is not pruned. However, it is often pruned into a ball shape for a more compact appearance. Its growth is rapid during its early years, then gradually slows. It can reach up to 10 metres in height and width. Its bark is initially smooth and light grey, then thickens with age and takes on a grey-brown hue as it cracks. The deciduous foliage of the white mulberry is particularly interesting, as its leaves are polymorphous: they vary in shape depending on their position on the branches. They measure 6 to 8 cm wide and 10 to 20 cm long, and can be either single and heart-shaped or divided into several lobes with toothed edges. Their upper surface is glossy, and their colour evolves from pale green to golden yellow in autumn. In April, the tree produces inconspicuous flowers, in the form of male and female catkins located on separate parts of the same tree. They are followed by fruits in June, or even early July, depending on the climate: these fleshy, ovoid fruits measure 2 to 3 cm and turn from white to purplish-pink when ripe. They do not stain the ground and can be eaten fresh or dried. They are also loved by birds.
The root system of this mulberry is both taprooted and running, making transplantation tricky and requiring planting it at a distance from buildings.

The seeds of Morus alba require cold stratification for several weeks to break their dormancy. Once ready, they can be sown in spring in light, moist soil at a temperature of around 20°C. Germination may take several weeks.

Highly adaptable Morus alba thrives in fertile, well-loosened and drained soil, in a warm and sunny position. It tolerates urban pollution but is sensitive to sea spray. Gradually enriching the soil through the decomposition of its fallen leaves, it is an excellent choice for fallow land. It is often used as a street tree, but also finds its place in a fruit hedge alongside blackthorn, Mirabelle de Nancy plum tree, and fruiting dogwoods, providing a refuge and food source for birds. Planted alone in the centre of a lawn, it offers welcome shade in summer. It is also effective on slopes to limit soil erosion.