You will receive a perfectly healthy starter Illinois Everbearing Mulberry plant that is 4-6-inches tall.

This tree is hardy to -30F, which makes it one of the most widely adapted of all mulberries. It sometimes starts producing the first year after planting! It becomes a large shade tree very quickly, often growing 3'-5' per year in favorable conditions.

Mulberry Trees at a Glance:
Self-pollinating
Juicy, reddish-black berries drop from the tree with no picking needed
Pest-resistant
Can be trained as tree or shrub
Can bear fruit in first 1-3 years
Root systems can damage utility lines

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Appearance
Everbearing mulberry trees can be trained into single-stemmed trees or grow in a rounded shape as multi-stemmed bushes. Their leathery green leaves fall in winter, and their tasty fruit is dark reddish-black, juicy, and about 1.5 inches long with a ripening season from late June to early fall.

Illinois everbearing mulberry trees grow to 30-35 feet tall with a 30-35 foot spread.

Specifications
Appearance: Naturally shrub-like, can be trained into trees with a rounded shape. Dark, reddish-black berries and deep green foliage
Height: 30-35 feet tall;
Hardiness Zones: 5-10
Type of tree: Deciduous
Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil composition: Highly adaptable but prefers loamy, well-drained, moist soil with a pH between 5.5-7.0

Planting
The best time to plant an everbearing mulberry tree is in spring or fall. We recommend these steps:

Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade that is far away from buried utility lines or septic systems, as their fast-growing roots can cause serious damage. Clear away any weeds, debris, or turfgrass. Dig a hole twice the size and depth of the root ball. Remove the root ball from its container and loosen the roots gently. Place the root ball in the hole so that it is slightly above the level of the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole with soil, tamping down gently as you go to make sure there are no air pockets. Soak your everbearing mulberry tree when you are finished.

Growing Conditions
Everbearing mulberry trees are vigorous and low-maintenance, able to adapt to a variety of soil types.

Sun and shade
These trees thrive with six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day or partial shade.

Soil
Everbearing mulberry trees prefer well-draining, moist, loamy soil with a pH between 5.5-7. However, they can also grow in sandy and clay soil.

Watering
Newly planted everbearing mulberry trees need to be watered regularly to establish a strong root system. Once established, mulberry trees are relatively drought-tolerant. They benefit from about one inch of water per week.

Fertilizing
Everbearing mulberry trees should not be fertilized the first year of planting. Once they are established, fertilize in early spring when new growth begins every year, using a slow-release, balanced fertilizer with an NPK value of 10-10-10.

Pruning
Pruning your everbearing mulberry tree can lead to a robust branch framework. Only prune in winter, when the tree is dormant. Everbearing mulberry trees are prone to “bleeding,” or leaking sap. You don’t want to prune until the tree has fully stopped sap production in winter.

Harvesting
Everbearing mulberry trees are self-fertile, so you only need one to yield a crop. In general, it can take up to two to three years for everbearing mulberry trees to fruit. However, some nurseries carry everbearing mulberry trees that will fruit the first year. The trees bear fruit from June until September.

Everbearing mulberry fruits don’t even need to be picked— if you shake the tree lightly, they simply drop to the ground when they’re ripe. Many people leave a sheet beneath their tree during these months to collect the berries as they fall.

The fruit is excellent for snacking, baking into tarts or pies, creating jams and preserves, or even fermenting sweet wine.