{"product_id":"red-mulberry-tree","title":"Red Mulberry Tree","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMorus rubra\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Mulberry is a handsome, fast-growing deciduous tree prized for its lush foliage, dense canopy, and delicious, nutrient-rich fruit. Native to eastern and central North America, this rugged tree has a long history of feeding both local wildlife and human foragers, making it a treasured addition to homesteads and native landscapes alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn spring, the tree bursts into life with unobtrusive greenish-white catkins that quickly develop into heavy yields of succulent, dark purple-to-black berries closely resembling blackberries. By autumn, its large, often mitten-shaped leaves transition to a warm, buttery yellow before dropping to reveal a striking, sturdy branching structure for the winter months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Ecological Footprint\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAvian Feast:\u003c\/b\u003e Serves as a premier food source for dozens of resident and migratory bird species that eagerly consume the sweet summer berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Magnet:\u003c\/b\u003e Mammals ranging from squirrels and raccoons to foxes frequent the dropping fruit, utilizing the tree as a reliable seasonal food station.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinator Support:\u003c\/b\u003e Early spring flowers provide essential nectar and pollen resources for native bees and other beneficial insects waking up for the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCanopy Provider:\u003c\/b\u003e Offers dense, cooling shade and protective nesting cover for songbirds during the heat of the summer months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Honest Harvest (What to Expect)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Perks:\u003c\/b\u003e Incredibly fast growth rate, highly adaptable to a wide range of soil and light conditions, and produces massive quantities of sweet, edible fruit with zero artificial maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Caveats:\u003c\/b\u003e The heavy fruit drop can create a temporary mess if planted directly over patios, walkways, or driveways; bird droppings may temporarily stain nearby surfaces after feeding on the berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e Morus rubra\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/b\u003e Red Mulberry, American Mulberry\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 35-50 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/b\u003e 35-50 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/b\u003e Fast (2-3 feet per year)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/b\u003e 50-75+ years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/b\u003e 4-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChill Hours:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Preference:\u003c\/b\u003e Full sun to partial shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Rich, moist, well-draining loams; highly adaptable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/b\u003e Adaptable (6.0-7.5)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate; drought-tolerant once fully established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlower Color:\u003c\/b\u003e Greenish-white; early spring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruit Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Large, sweet, dark purple-black aggregate fruit (resembling blackberries); mid-summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinators:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Rounded, spreading crown with a short trunk and dense branching\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 30-40 feet apart for proper canopy development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLandscape Uses:\u003c\/b\u003e Fruit orchards, wildlife gardens, shade trees, native naturalizing, homestead planting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaintenance Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Low (occasional corrective pruning in late winter)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydration:\u003c\/b\u003e Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to help establish an extensive root system, tapering off as the tree matures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSiting:\u003c\/b\u003e Select a spacious location away from high-traffic walkways or driveways to accommodate the mature spread and falling fruit. Full sun ensures the highest fruit yields.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMulching:\u003c\/b\u003e Apply a 3-to-4-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone to suppress competing weeds and retain vital soil moisture, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/b\u003e Tolerates a wide range of soil types, though it performs best in loose, fertile ground with good drainage. Ensure it receives adequate water during prolonged dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning:\u003c\/b\u003e Prune in late winter or early spring while the tree is fully dormant to remove any crossing, damaged, or dead branches and to shape the canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/b\u003e Generally unnecessary in decent soil. If growth appears sluggish, a light application of balanced organic fertilizer or compost around the drip line in early spring will provide a welcome boost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ATM Gardens","offers":[{"title":"1-2ft","offer_id":51763380519207,"sku":"ST96A1","price":45.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-3ft","offer_id":51763380551975,"sku":"ST96A2","price":54.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/9094\/0711\/files\/REDMULBERRY16.jpg?v=1785433074","url":"https:\/\/atmgardens.com\/products\/red-mulberry-tree","provider":"ATM Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}