Omari Gates
Mulberry trees are an attractive and fast-growing fruit tree that can be grown Australia-wide. They are a delight to eat and can be found in white, red, or black berries. Mulberry trees can grow into large trees, up to 10m, but dwarf varieties are also available for those with limited space. They are a vigorous plant, so if you want to keep the tree to a manageable size, give it a hard prune to a harvestable height every winter. Mulberry trees prefer a full sun position with well-drained soil and a slightly acidic soil pH. They are relatively free from pests and diseases but can suffer from Bacterial Blight and Fungal Leaf Spot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate | Temperate |
| Soil | Deep, fertile, free-draining, slightly acidic soil pH |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water | Deep watering once every 2-3 days, depending on weather conditions. Once established, water deeply once every two weeks. |
| Fertilizer | Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser, Scotts Osmocote Compost Premium Soil Improver, Scotts Osmocote Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix, Scotts Performance Naturals Citrus & Fruit Organic Based Fertiliser, Yates Thrive Citrus Liquid Plant Food, Yates Thrive Natural Citrus & Fruit Organic Based Plant Food, Scotts Osmocote Plus Organics Roses, Gardenias & Azaleas Plant Food & Soil Improver |
| Pests | Fruit flies, birds |
| Diseases | Fungal Leaf Spot, Bacterial Blight |
| Pruning | Prune in autumn or winter to shape and encourage new growth |
| Harvest | Mid-spring to late summer |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a location: Select a sunny spot with well-drained soil, away from paths and cars to avoid staining
- Soil preparation: Enrich the soil with compost or fertiliser to ensure the correct pH level
- Planting: Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, soak bare roots, and firm down the soil
- Pruning: Prune in autumn or winter to control size and shape, and open up the centre for good air circulation
- Common issues: Watch out for fungal and bacterial diseases, and protect the fruit from birds and fruit flies
Choosing a location: Select a sunny spot with well-drained soil, away from paths and cars to avoid staining
When choosing a location for your mulberry tree, it is important to select a spot with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. Mulberry trees thrive in fertile, free-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. They prefer a temperate climate and can adapt to most soil conditions, although they are prone to drying out and dropping fruit in very light and sandy soils. Ensure the location is away from paths, cars, decks, paving, and clothing lines as the fruit can stain.
If you are limited by space or want to grow mulberries in pots, choose a dwarf variety such as Dwarf Mulberry Black or Red Shahtoot. These varieties can also be grown in large pots or containers with good drainage that are at least 50-60cm wide and deep. An old half-wine barrel with drainage holes is an ideal size. When growing in pots, use a premium potting mix and ensure the pot can be easily watered, especially during the hot summer months.
If you have the space for a larger tree, be mindful that mulberry trees can grow up to 10 meters tall and spread to 20 meters wide if left unpruned. They can be pruned to a more manageable size, but this requires regular maintenance. When selecting a location for a larger tree, consider the potential for staining and the amount of sun exposure the tree will receive.
Overall, when choosing a location for your mulberry tree, opt for a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and consider the potential for staining and the amount of space available for the tree to grow.
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Soil preparation: Enrich the soil with compost or fertiliser to ensure the correct pH level
When preparing the soil for a mulberry tree, it's important to ensure the soil is deep, well-drained, and has the correct pH level. Dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the root ball of your tree and the same depth. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in some compost or fertiliser. If you're using a fertiliser, choose one that is specifically designed to improve the soil, such as Scotts Osmocote Compost Premium Soil Improver or Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
If your soil is already acidic, you can add an organic fertiliser such as Scotts Performance Naturals Citrus & Fruit Organic Based Fertiliser to the original soil at the base of the planting hole. However, if your soil is alkaline, you may need to lower the pH by adding a product like Yates Soil Acidifer Liquid Sulfur. You can also increase soil acidity by adding a sulfate, such as aluminium or iron, to the topsoil several months before planting. Just be cautious, as high concentrations of sulfates can damage sensitive roots.
Mulberry trees thrive in full sun positions with well-drained soil and a slightly acidic pH level. They can be grown in most areas of Australia, including regions with milder winters, by choosing a "low-chill" variety. If you're short on space, consider a dwarf variety, which can grow up to 5 metres tall. These can be grown in large pots with a premium potting mix, such as Scotts Osmocote Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix.
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Planting: Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, soak bare roots, and firm down the soil
When you're ready to plant your mulberry tree, start by digging a hole that's about twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. If you're planting in winter, soak the bare roots in a bucket of water for half an hour before placing it in the hole. This will help to wake the tree from its winter dormancy and give it a good start.
Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in some compost or soil improver. If your soil is alkaline, you can add a liquid sulphur solution to lower the pH—mulberry trees prefer a slightly acidic soil pH. If you're planting a container-grown mulberry tree, take a look at the roots. You'll likely find that they're tightly wound, so use your fingers to gently tease them apart. This will encourage the roots to grow outwards into the surrounding soil once planted.
Position the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming it down as you go. Water the tree thoroughly to settle the roots and eliminate any air pockets. Top dress around the tree with an open organic mulch, keeping it away from the trunk. This will help to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
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Pruning: Prune in autumn or winter to control size and shape, and open up the centre for good air circulation
Pruning is an essential part of growing a mulberry tree in Australia. While mulberry trees can grow into large trees of up to 10 metres, they can be pruned to control their size and shape. Pruning also helps open up the centre of the tree, promoting good air circulation and preventing diseases.
The best time to prune a mulberry tree is during autumn or winter when the tree is dormant and has lost all its leaves. This allows you to easily see the structure of the tree and make informed pruning decisions. Start by pruning away any dead, diseased, damaged, or crowded branches to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration within the canopy.
When pruning, make clean cuts at the junction of branches with the trunk. This will help prevent disease and promote proper healing. Remove any low-hanging branches that may interfere with your enjoyment of the space, such as those that may hinder your ability to sit or walk under the canopy.
For larger trees, consider pruning to shape and encourage new growth. You can also prune to maintain a desired height and width, such as the popular size of 2 metres by 2 metres for a more manageable tree. Additionally, if your mulberry tree has multiple trunks, you can reduce it to a single trunk or consider staking for improved stability.
By regularly pruning your mulberry tree during the dormant season, you can easily control its size and shape while also promoting good air circulation and overall tree health.
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Common issues: Watch out for fungal and bacterial diseases, and protect the fruit from birds and fruit flies
When growing a mulberry tree in Australia, there are some common issues to watch out for, including fungal and bacterial diseases, as well as fruit-eating birds and fruit flies. Here are some detailed instructions to tackle these issues:
Fungal Diseases:
Fungal Leaf Spot (Phloeospora maculans) is a common fungal disease that affects mulberry trees. It appears as small dark brown spots with a green or yellow halo on the leaves. The spots gradually become larger, and the leaf slowly turns white with dark brown margins. The fungus spreads through the wind and rain splash. Good hygiene practices, such as raking up fallen leaves and ensuring proper air circulation, can help control this disease.
Another fungal disease to watch out for is Powdery Mildew, which is common in gardens. It manifests as a whitish-gray, powdery mold on the leaves, buds, and twigs of the mulberry tree, causing the leaves to crinkle and curl upward. New shoots may also exhibit stunted growth.
In the southern states of Australia, be cautious of False Mildew, a fungal disease that typically appears in July. It is characterised by whitish patches on the underside of the leaves, which then spread and form a cobweb-like coating.
Armillaria root rot is a severe fungal disease that causes discoloured leaves to drop off prematurely. It can lead to the death of branches or even the entire tree. Unfortunately, controlling this disease is challenging, and infected trees often need to be removed to prevent further spread.
Bacterial Diseases:
Bacterial Blight (Pseudomonas syringae) is a serious issue for mulberry trees. It affects new shoots and leaves, causing large angular brown or black spots surrounded by a yellow halo. The leaves become distorted and curled, and cankers develop on the stems. The bacteria ooze from these cankers and spread throughout the tree. Proper pruning and good hygiene practices are essential to controlling this disease.
Birds:
Various bird species in Australia are known to feed on mulberry fruits, including the Red-whiskered Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Asian Glossy Starling, and Oriental Magpie Robin. These birds can quickly devour the soft and sticky mulberries, so it is essential to take preventive measures to protect the fruit.
Fruit Flies:
Fruit flies, such as the Queensland Fruit Fly and Mediterranean Fruit Fly, are common pests in Australia that can infest mulberry trees. The female fruit fly lays eggs inside the fruit, and the hatched maggots feed on the fruit, causing damage. Monitoring your trees with commercially available lure traps is an effective way to control fruit fly populations. You can also make your own lure traps using bait fluid recipes found online. Exclusion netting with a fine weave can also help prevent fruit flies from accessing your mulberries.
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Frequently asked questions
Mulberry trees can be grown anywhere in Australia as long as the soil is deep and well-drained.
Mulberry trees are prone to two main diseases: Fungal Leaf Spot and Bacterial Blight. They are also susceptible to Fruit Fly infestations.
Mulberry trees come in red, black, and white varieties. The main varieties of the black mulberry in Australia are Black English and Hick’s Fancy, while the main variety of the red mulberry is Downing’s Everbearing. Dwarf varieties are also available for smaller spaces.
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. Enrich the soil with compost or fertiliser and firm it down. Water the tree well and mulch around the base.
Mulberry trees require regular pruning to maintain a manageable size and shape. Pruning should be done in autumn or winter when there is little vegetative growth. It is also important to net the tree once the fruit has formed to protect it from birds and other wildlife.
