Morus Alba

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Moraceae

Order

Rosales

Genus

Morus

Species

sunrise

Description

Deciduous deciduous tree with an upright habit of growth and expanded foliage. Ornamental value is conferred by its plant architecture characterised by dense green foliage that turns yellow in a spectacular autumn foliage. It prefers soils rich in organic substance and sunny exposures.

Variety description

Robust, fast-growing tree with a rather free form; renowned for its rusticity and vigour. Medium-sized plant with an irregular, open but not excessive growth habit and ornamental, deep yellow autumn foliage colouration. Open round crown, light green, shiny leaves and insignificant flowering. White or pinkish-white edible fruits. Excellent adaptability to various types of soils and growing environments, including urban climates. Requires a sunny exposure and tolerates partly shady areas. It develops a medium-deep root system with many secondary roots, allowing it to be easily rooted when planted. Prefers clay and sandy soils, but grows well in all soil types. Multifunctional tree, suitable for park areas, urban avenues, gardens, roof gardens, landscape use for territorial green systems. Resistant to pathogens and pruning, which must be oriented towards maintaining the shape while respecting the architecture of the foliage. Highly resistant to water stress and summer drought. To be considered for seaside coastal areas.

Curiosities and special features

In the past, the White Mulberry assumed a primary role, unfortunately now often forgotten, in the rural environment of many European regions including Italy where it was introduced for silkworm breeding because its leaves were attractive to the silkworm(Bombyx mori). Today it has been revalued as a plant for ornamental use, and its use in herbal medicine is also widespread.

Origin and distribution

Species originating in central China, it was introduced for silkworm breeding in Europe in the 12th century and also became the protagonist of many agricultural landscapes.

Leaf

Leaf has Cuoriform lamina with serrated margin.

Fruit

The fruit is an elongated blackberry, characterised by a tender texture and a thickness of 1 mm. It has a smooth skin and a variegated colouring. From a sensory point of view, it is fruity to the nose, unscented, with a delicate taste and a sweet flavour. Ripening takes place from early summer to late summer.

Flowering period

It flowers from early spring to late spring for a duration of 15 to 25 days.

Inflorescence

A dioecious Species, it has female flowers gathered in spikes and male flowers in pendulous catkins.

Leaf colour

Lustrous unicolour hue that turns to deep yellow during an autumn foliage process of high ornamental value.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 3 to 5 m.

Lifespan

Polyennial deciduous Leaf tree.

Where to plant

With its multifunctional use, it is suitable as a plant for flowerbeds , gardens and parks, large flowerbeds and road roundabouts, open field

Stem

The woody stem has bark with longitudinally striped wrinkles; the variety has no thorns.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

The developed habitus is Erect with open rounded foliage.

Branching

Abundant branching starts naturally from the base.

PH

It requires a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting, choose the most suitable location, in relation to the plant's needs, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third the size of the root or root ball volume, removing any weeds and bulky pebbles. Add organic matter and add organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser to provide the nutrients the plant needs in the early post-transplant stages. If the soil is too compact, it is advisable to add sand as well.

Sun exposure

It requires full sun exposure but also tolerates partially shaded areas.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 30 °C; the white mulberry adapts well to both hot summer and cold winter weather.

Use

Due to its resistance to summer drought as well as its plant architecture characterised by glossy green foliage that turns golden-yellow in autumn, it is suitable as an indoor plant:

Indoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping Environmental consolidation plants

Hardiness

Ahighly hardy plant, after proper establishment in the new planting site it tolerates dry summer heat and winter cold.

Soil

It adapts to different soil conditions, however, for best vegetative Growth the soil must be structured and endowed with organic substance.

Difficulty

Following proper establishment in the new planting site, Morus alba cultivation is easy with an overall low level of management effort. Cultivation must be carried out with correct fertilisation as well as moderate and constant irrigation.

Growing tips

Here are some specific cultivation measures and aspects to achieve better vegetative growth:

Balanced fertilisation Plant that adapts very well to cold winter climates, and also thrives in frozen soil conditions. Requires little but regular fertilisation Exposure to direct light Correct pruning

Planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 1500 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site a priori in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle "The right plant in the right place".

Position the plant by keeping the collar off the soil surface, compacting the soil well to avoid the formation of air pockets. It is advisable to use a complete and balanced background fertiliser.

Pruning

Pruning the foliage laterally in winter. Indiscriminate cutting of stems and branches by 'pruning' not only leads to an alteration of the natural habitus of the plant, but also to a lower resistance to biotic and abiotic agents.

Propagation

Propagation is by seed, layering or cutting.

Watering

After transplanting, assist the plant so that it can best develop its root system in the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent water saturation conditions and apply quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons, leaving the soil to dry slightly between one watering and the next.

Fertilising

When transplanting, carry out a background fertilisation by applying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the soil. Following removal to the new planting site, in spring and autumn, carry out balanced fertilisation without over- or under-fertilisation.

Edibility for humans

The fruit of many varieties of white mulberry is edible if harvested at the correct stage of ripeness and well preserved.

Tip

The White Mulberry is a plant that tolerates many types of soil, water sparingly and fertilise every three to four months. Prune to shape the foliage.