Morus alba Fruitless - Mullberry

Morus alba 'Fruitless' is a sterile variety of sterile White Mulberry, which does not produce fruit. This allows you to enjoy its dense and cool shade without having to deal with the mess of fruit on patios and paving. This shade tree is highly appreciated in sunny climates. Its deciduous foliage turns from bright green to golden yellow in autumn. It is hardy to -28°C (-18.4°F), and resistant to heat and drought. With its strong root system, it prefers deep but well-drained soils. Its leaves have been used as food for silkworms since time immemorial.

The common Chinese Mulberry belongs to the Moraceae family and produces latex in its tissues, like all members of its family. Originally from Mongolia and India, it was introduced to France at the end of the 15th century, allowing the development of sericulture.

The 'Fruitless' cultivar forms a stocky tree with a short and thick trunk, topped with a spreading crown that can be somewhat irregular if not pruned. It is more commonly seen shaped into a rounded and compact head after pruning. Its growth is rapid during the first few years, then slows down. It can reach 10m (33ft) in all directions. Its light grey bark cracks to become thicker, and then turns grey-brown. The deciduous leaves are polymorphous, meaning their appearance can differ depending on their position on the branches. They measure 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) in length, and are alternate, petiolate, either simple and cordate, or divided into 3 to 7 more or less deep lobes, with an irregularly toothed margin. The shiny upper surface of the lamina is pale green, turning golden yellow in autumn. The White Mulberry produces male or female flowers in different locations on the same tree in April. Its discreet flowering consists of catkins composed of tiny green-yellow flowers. 'Fruitless' is a male cultivar, so its flowering is not followed by fruiting. Its root system, both taproot and spreading, does not tolerate transplanting well. Its strength means it should be planted at a respectable distance from buildings.

Morus alba 'Fruitless' grows in fertile, well-worked and well-drained soil, in a warm and sunny location. It tolerates pollution well, but dislikes coastal areas and sea spray. Uncultivated lands benefit from its presence, as its leaves gradually enrich the soil each autumn. Traditionally used as a street tree, it can also be planted in a fruit hedge, along with blackthorns, mirabelle plums, medlars, viburnums, and dogwoods, to the delight of birds. It can make a beautiful specimen, planted alone in the middle of a lawn, or even near a patio for the beneficial shade it provides in summer... without any unfortunate fruit staining the ground! It is also useful on slopes to combat soil erosion. Its leaves serve as food for silkworms and it tolerates pruning very well.