Morus rubra - Red mulberry
Family Moraceae
Description:
Ten or more species of Morus are native to North America, Africa, and Asia. Some scientists include plants from South America in the genus. All are trees. They have been used by people for their edible fruit, timber, and feeding the leaves to silkworms. Red mulberry produces leaves with leaves with no lobes, two lobes, and three lobes; sometimes displaying all three leaf types on a single branch. The edible fruits resemble a black berry.
The wood is reported to be durable outdoors and has been used for a variety of purposes. Fruits are food to a wide variety of birds and small mammals. Young trees may require protection from browsing deer.
Location:
See this plant along the Lake Oneida.trail.
Size:
A large tree with the potential to reach seventy feet tall.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: moist but well-drained soil, somewhat drought tolerant
Soil: widely adaptable