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Mulberries

 
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AnnaD



Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 4:42 pm    Post subject: Mulberries Reply with quote
    

Has anyone tried growing mulberry trees? They sound like they'd be worth a shot but I'm not sure if they are suited to Scotland or not. There's really not much information on whether or not they'd be okay here.

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6533
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They grow well even in coldish spots here in New England. They tend to get a little weedy, sprouting and self-seeding

AnnaD



Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That's good to know. It might be worth an attempt then. Whenever I read about them I end up thinking about getting one, but due to this being Scotland I never decided to risk it. They sound tasty too!

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6533
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 6:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

https://www.fruit.cornell.edu/mfruit/mulberries.html

For reference, USDA zone 4 means that winter temps can get between -30 and -34 C

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 6:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They grow them in Canada so you should be fine

Mutton



Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Delicious. We had a big one in a garden when I was a kid.

If you look on the Agroforestry website they offer several mulberries, one or more billed as hardy (haven't looked recently). If I were you I'd talk with several tree specialist type nurseries and get info on what does best in your growing conditions. Not just Scotland but soil etc.

Many are very helpful, even for a one tree order.

AnnaD



Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That's a good idea. I'll start asking around before making any decisions, but it does sound like a great addition to my forest garden. Thanks for the help everyone!

NorthernMonkeyGirl



Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4584
Location: Peeping over your shoulder
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Be aware they come in to leaf pretty late in the spring, and drop the new leaves at any late frost. Then sulk. Sometimes going dormant! But should regrow new leaves after getting over themselves

yummersetter



Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 3241
Location: Somerset
PostPosted: Sun Jun 26, 16 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I've planted seven mulberries to end up with two survivors, in my orchard in Somerset.
The first Illinois Everbearing didn't come back to life after its first winter sleep so I replanted another, which is OK but only put on about 40cm of growth over three years. Italian is still growing from the original planting but not kicked into real growth yet, either, just smouldering away
I planted and replanted four white mulberries in more-or-less the same spot about fifty ft away; they also didn't survive the winter. Then I gave up and put a quince in their place, which seems to be thriving.
So I'm not quite as confident - its galling when you read that all you have to do to get a whopping great mulberry is slam a branch in the earth and it'll grow like Topsy.

AnnaD



Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh
PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 16 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That must be disheartening, especially when you live in Somerset! I'll maybe wait until we have money we can risk wasting. But I'll ask various nurseries first to see what they say.

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 16 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They are VERY VERY slow. No fruit for 8 years, I think. I'll try and get a pic of my inherited one. I think it's on year 6.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 16 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mine fruited at yr 4, they do get set back by late frosts, but I guess they're more predictable than in Essex. We quite often get very warm spells in spring followed by a sharp frost

AnnaD



Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh
PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 16 3:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have a feeling they wouldn't be keen on Scotland. Our seasons are rubbish and we get snow in May.

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6533
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 16 3:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

AnnaD wrote:
I have a feeling they wouldn't be keen on Scotland. Our seasons are rubbish and we get snow in May.


We also get snow in May and they live here.

AnnaD



Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh
PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 16 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Good point. But the problem here is we don't get much of a summer half the time. We're lucky if it reaches 70F in temperature, and the likelihood of getting much dry weather is low.

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