Black Mulberry Tree

Black Mulberry Tree is a delightful, fruit-laden treasure that brings charm, shade, and delicious harvests to any garden. This beautiful tree grows into a medium, rounded form—typically reaching 15–30 feet tall—while offering gracefully textured green foliage that fills the landscape with lush character throughout the season. In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous blooms that transform into plump, deep-purple mulberries bursting with rich, sweet-tart flavor. Gardeners love this tree for its long fruiting season, generous yields, and irresistible berries perfect for fresh eating, baking, smoothies, and homemade jams. Its sturdy nature makes it easy to grow, thriving in warm sun and adapting well to various soils, making it a fantastic addition for beginners and seasoned growers alike. Growing your own mulberries adds a touch of nostalgia, a sense of abundance, and the joy of stepping into your yard to pick fresh, sun-warmed fruit straight from the branch.

Also Known As: Purple Mulberry, Persian Mulberry, Black Morus, Mulberry Nigra, Morus Nigra Tree, Blackberry Mulberry, Heritage Mulberry, Old World Mulberry, Shahtoot Black, Toot Siyah, Gelso Nero, Morera Negra, Morus Alba Nigra

Plant Name:	Tree, Black Mulberry
Latin Name:	Morus nigra
Days to Germinate:	14-28
Years to Fruit:	5 - 10 Years
Plant Height:	30 - 40 Feet
Spread:	30 - 50 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	5-10
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2026

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 30 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: Seeds require cold, moist stratification to break dormancy. To stratify, roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator to keep seeds at 35F-40F for 60-90 days, mimicking winter conditions. After the stratification period, seeds should be ready to germinate. To germinate seeds, place the bags in a warm 70F-90F area. After 10 days, plant the seeds in small pots with moist potting soil and in a warm, sunny location that is at least 65F, about 1 month after the last expected frost in spring. Keep the soil moist, allowing the top inch of soil to dry in between waterings.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant seeds in late summer to naturally cold-stratify seeds. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 30-50 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inches
Within-Row Spacing:	30 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	50 feet

Care During the Season:

Black Mulberry Trees can ensure bountiful harvests with proper care. Provide consistent, deep watering during dry spells, especially when the fruit is actively developing, as uneven moisture can lead to dropping or poor-quality berries; however, once established, these trees are relatively drought-tolerant. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins, but avoid excessive nitrogen which can encourage leaf growth over fruit production. Pruning is best kept minimal and done in late winter while dormant to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches, as aggressive pruning can significantly reduce the summer's fruit set. Finally, keep the area around the trunk free of weeds and mulch heavily to help retain soil moisture and stabilize root temperatures throughout the growing season..

Harvesting:

Black Mulberry is a late-season bearer, typically ripening from late summer into early autumn, where the berries transition to a deep purple or black color, becoming plump and soft to the touch; they are fully ready when they detach effortlessly from the stem. To harvest efficiently, you should employ the "shake and catch" method: simply lay a clean tarp or sheet beneath the tree's canopy, then gently shake the branches to release the ripe fruit onto the clean surface, taking care to collect the delicate berries into shallow containers immediately to prevent crushing and staining. Since the fruit ripens over several weeks, revisit the tree every few days for successive harvests, only picking or shaking the darkest, most easily released berries.

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