White Mulberry
Morus alba
White Mulberry (Morus alba) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 8–15 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide, fast-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Weeping form; some dieback.
medium water8–15 ft tall and 10–15 ft wideDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Morus alba
- Variety / cultivar
- White Mulberry 'Chaparral'
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 8–15 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~15 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom time
- mid spring
- Pollinator value
- low
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is White Mulberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, White Mulberry is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does White Mulberry get?
- It matures to about 8–15 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide.
- How much room does White Mulberry need?
- Give White Mulberry about 15 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does White Mulberry grow into?
- White Mulberry typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is White Mulberry hardy on the Front Range?
- White Mulberry is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does White Mulberry need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does White Mulberry grow?
- White Mulberry is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does White Mulberry live?
- White Mulberry is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is White Mulberry native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is White Mulberry deer-resistant?
- White Mulberry is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
