Morus nigra - Mullberry

Morus nigra, the black mulberry from the Middle East, is part of those legendary plants appreciated for their aesthetics and fruits, just like the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree. An excellent shade tree with a long lifespan, it is perfectly hardy in a protected location. Its dense, deciduous, dark green and luxuriant foliage, turns golden yellow in autumn. Its red-violet fruits, almost black when ripe, have a tangy and fragrant flavour that is appreciated by gourmets and birds. Adopt this mulberry tree in your garden, but place it a little away from the terrace as its fruits stain!

This black mulberry tree belongs to the Moraceae family. It produces latex in its tissues, like all members of its family. Its origins range from the Middle East to Central Asia, but its introduction to the Mediterranean basin dates back to antiquity. This tree, with its sturdy appearance, has a short and thick trunk, which takes on a characteristic knotty and twisted aspect with age. It is topped with a slightly irregular spreading crown if not pruned. Its growth is quite rapid during its first years, then slows down significantly. It can reach 10 to 12m (33 to 39ft) (sometimes up to 15m (49ft)) in all directions. Its light grey bark cracks to become thicker and swollen, and then turns grey-brown. The deciduous leaves are polymorphous, meaning their appearance and size can vary 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 entire and heart-shaped, or divided into 3 to 7 more or less deep lobes, with a roughly toothed margin. The rough and dark green lamina on the upper side is pubescent on the underside, which often allows it to be distinguished from the White Mulberry. It turns golden yellow in autumn. The Black Mulberry develops discreet male or female flowers in different locations on the same tree in May-June. In August-September, the female flowers produce ovoid fleshy fruits that are almost black when ripe. They are edible, tangy, juicy, and highly coveted by birds. Its fruits are not attached to the branch by long peduncles, unlike those of the White Mulberry. Its root system, both taproot and spreading, does not tolerate transplanting well. Its strength means that it should be planted at a respectable distance from buildings.

Morus nigra is very hardy and deserves to be planted. With its twisted appearance, it marks the garden with its unique personality, while being truly undemanding. It grows in fertile, well-worked and well-drained soil, even limestone, in a warm and sunny location. It tolerates pollution well but is afraid of the seaside and sea spray. Uncultivated land benefits from its presence, as its leaves gradually enrich the soil every autumn. Traditionally used as a roadside tree, it can also be planted in a fruit hedge, along with blackthorn, mirabelle plum trees, medlar, guelder roses, and dogwood, much to the delight of children and birds. It can make a beautiful specimen, planted in isolation in the middle of a lawn. It is also useful on slopes to combat soil erosion. The fruits of the black mulberry tree can be consumed fresh, in jellies, jams, or syrups.