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Overstory

Mulberry (White)

Morus alba

Tree with edible fruit, leaves. More heat-tolerant than red mulberry; dwarf varieties best for managed landscapes

EdibleMedicinalWildlife
At a Glance

What to know before finding it a place.

SunFull sun
WaterLow water
System layerOverstory
Plant typeTree
Plant spacing25-40 ft
Mature size25-40 ft / 20-35 ft
Chill hours400-600
Soil pH5.5-8.0
HarvestMay–Jun
Expected yieldAbundant
TrellisNo
Central Oklahoma

Growing notes for our conditions.

Regional fit still depends on the actual site—especially drainage, exposure, irrigation, soil and the specific cultivar selected.

Oklahoma notes

More heat-tolerant than red mulberry; dwarf varieties best for managed landscapes

Disease resistance

Excellent; highly adaptable

Pruning

Control size with pruning; harvest fruit before birds take it

Care

Extremely productive; can become weedy from bird-spread seeds; contain in food forest setting

Drought tolerance

High once established

Pollination & Production

Plan the partners before planting the tree.

Pollination reference

For fruiting plants, compatible bloom timing and nearby partners can matter as much as the cultivar itself.

PollinationMonoecious (self-fertile)
Compatible partners–
Variety Selection

The cultivar can matter as much as the species.

These references help narrow the large number of named varieties to options better aligned with Zone 7A conditions, disease pressure and useful harvest windows.

Zone 7A Recommended Varieties

Geraldi DwarfContessaIssai (dwarf)Pendula (weeping)

These are recommendations carried in the Organix Zone 7A reference database. They are not automatically the same as a cultivar personally proven by Organix on every site; site conditions and availability still matter.

Landscape Role

How this plant can function in a larger system.

Landscape functions

Edible; Attractor; Mulcher

Edible parts

Fruit, Leaves

Companion plants

Comfrey, Clover, Native grass

Community / companion role

Pollination: Monoecious (self-fertile); Companions: Comfrey, Clover, Native grass

Food-forest layer

Canopy

Oklahoma classification

Secondary

Soil, Fertility & Care

Support the plant without overcomplicating the system.

Soil preferences

Preferred pH 5.5-8.0

KNF / fertility schedule

FPJ spring; minimal

Maintenance

Control size with pruning; harvest fruit before birds take it

Use this as a planning reference.

Plant performance varies with microclimate, soil, drainage, water, maintenance and cultivar. Organix uses the library to narrow good candidates, then makes final selections around the actual site.

Edible and medicinal tags describe traditional or practical plant uses in the landscape and are not medical advice. Always verify identification, preparation and individual suitability before consuming a plant.