Mulberry (morus nigra or alba) on Vancouver Island?

Discussion in 'Fruit and Nut Trees' started by RootlessAgrarian, Mar 31, 2009.

  1. RootlessAgrarian

    RootlessAgrarian Member

    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Nanaimo BC Canada
    Will the weeping, fruiting mulberry tree that I have seen thriving further South do well on Vancouver Island, coastal regions, elevation <500 ft, southeast coast (Nanaimo region)?

    Is it considered an invasive alien? is there any reason not to plant one? how cold-hardy is it (would this last winter, with many nights below -3C, have killed one)?

    I covet the fruit and the elegant form of the tree but am nervous about spending big bucks on a fairly mature young tree (I have a shot at purchasing one about 6 ft tall) if it will not thrive.
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,251
    Likes Received:
    786
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    White mulberry (M. alba) is the common one, should have no trouble growing it. Not a weed in this region.

    Black mulberry (M. nigra) is a rare gourmet variety. I have planted several supposedly different cultivars on Camano Island but have yet to get good establishment from any of them.

    There is a 20' black mulberry street tree in Seattle, so growth of this tree here is possible.

    Another good one is the hybrid 'Illinois Everbearing'.
     
  3. RootlessAgrarian

    RootlessAgrarian Member

    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Nanaimo BC Canada
    thank'ee kindly for the tip, much obliged.

    I will have to find out which cultivar is the one I have been offered -- most likely alba.

    are there any good fruit tree (bare root or potted) nurseries on Vancouver Island? I know of only one source of bare root stock in Nanaimo so far; surely there must be more?
     
  4. Fruit nut

    Fruit nut Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    SW BC
    Grimo nut (grimonut.com) in Ontario has the Illinois Everbearing variety, sells them bear root in the mail in spring. I bought a couple, and was very impressed! I haven't noticed them available reliably anywhere closer to date.
     
  5. Linda P

    Linda P Member

    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lower Mainland
    My neighbour up at Cultus Lake has a white mulberry tree. It has the sweetest berries. They called it a "berry tree" and an "amore tree" so it took a while to find out that it was a white mulberry. It was at least 12-15 feet tall and looked very healthy. I don't think they did anything to it over the winter. During fruiting season they did put up bird deterants - tinfoil, etc. Apparently the birds love it.

    I haven't looked yet for a local source (Lower Mainland) but probably will sa I'd like a tree in my backyard now.

    Linda
     
  6. Sprout

    Sprout Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lower Mainland
    Tropic to Tropic has the Illinois Everbearing mulberry in Tsawwassen (http://www.tropic.ca/index.htm). Sadly, it won't fit in my yard. Anyone know where to find a dwarf mulberry tree?
     
  7. Northpolegardener

    Northpolegardener Member

    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Wermland Sweden
  8. woodschmoe

    woodschmoe Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    708
    Likes Received:
    8
    Location:
    gulf island, bc, canada
    I've got a couple of dozen morus nigra seedlings, overwintered in pots last year, planted in the ground this fall...see how they fare this winter. They germinate readily from seed planted in the spring. For a dwarf variety, I've found morus bombycis 'Unryu' (AKA contorted mulberry, dragon mulberry) to be a good choice: fair yields of good sized fruit, in a compact, contorted tree for smaller gardens.
     

Share This Page