White Mulberry

White mulberry is native to Asia and was introduced in colonial times as a food source for silkworms. It is a small, 30-50 ft. tall, deciduous tree. Young bark, the bark along the roots, and the inner bark along the trunk are often bright orange in color. Older bark is gray with narrow, irregular fissures. Flowering occurs in April. Plants are normally dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). White mulberry is very similar to the native red mulberry (Morus rubra L.) but may be distinguished by the leaves. White mulberry leaves have glossy surfaces whereas the leaves of red mulberry do not.