Mulberry is a common tree in parts of Europe and the Middle East and while probably origination from temperate climates, it grows successfully in Tanzania.
There are actually three main species of Morus - alba, indica and nigra. The Swahili name is Mforasdi - usually for the larger fruiting alba and nigra; and the local name Mandela for the smaller fruiting indica. Indica is smaller in leaf and habit as well, but still I will lump these trees together here.
Description: A semi [sometimes] deciduous shrub, much branched <6 metres. Bark is grey and rough with age and resinous gum when cut - young wood has milky sap. Leaves are heart-shaped and toothed - alba having larger leaves and indica < 4cm. Dull green and with hairy underside. Flowers are separate sexes on the same tree - female with long soft hairs. Fruit are compound berries, red and turn black when ripe.
Uses: Fruit, fodder, also fodder for silk worms, fuel, shade, live fence.
Propagation: Easily struck from 8cm cuttings and grows quite fast.
Mandela is not popular because the fruit is small and insignificant but children eat them. However it is a very good tree for fodder as it regrows well, so good as a shelter fence that can be harvested.
The trick to be able to eat the fruit of the Black Mulberry is to beat the birds and monkeys. We had a tree outside our window and cheeky monkeys would regularly rob the pre-ripe fruit!
I was surprised how easily it is to propagate after buying Black Mulberry at home for an expensive price - and they did not perform well at all!
A vet called on me at Makumira wanting me to produce Mulberry trees in large number to start a silk industry - I was able to help him but by focus was not to set individuals up in their own industry. It turned out to be just an idea on his part, but it would be viable in the future.
There are actually three main species of Morus - alba, indica and nigra. The Swahili name is Mforasdi - usually for the larger fruiting alba and nigra; and the local name Mandela for the smaller fruiting indica. Indica is smaller in leaf and habit as well, but still I will lump these trees together here.
Description: A semi [sometimes] deciduous shrub, much branched <6 metres. Bark is grey and rough with age and resinous gum when cut - young wood has milky sap. Leaves are heart-shaped and toothed - alba having larger leaves and indica < 4cm. Dull green and with hairy underside. Flowers are separate sexes on the same tree - female with long soft hairs. Fruit are compound berries, red and turn black when ripe.
Uses: Fruit, fodder, also fodder for silk worms, fuel, shade, live fence.
Propagation: Easily struck from 8cm cuttings and grows quite fast.
Mandela is not popular because the fruit is small and insignificant but children eat them. However it is a very good tree for fodder as it regrows well, so good as a shelter fence that can be harvested.
The trick to be able to eat the fruit of the Black Mulberry is to beat the birds and monkeys. We had a tree outside our window and cheeky monkeys would regularly rob the pre-ripe fruit!
I was surprised how easily it is to propagate after buying Black Mulberry at home for an expensive price - and they did not perform well at all!
A vet called on me at Makumira wanting me to produce Mulberry trees in large number to start a silk industry - I was able to help him but by focus was not to set individuals up in their own industry. It turned out to be just an idea on his part, but it would be viable in the future.
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