Useful properties of mulberry. Mulberry growing: video

Nigra) is most often found in the Transcaucasus, especially in Armenia, Iran and Afghanistan. reaching a height of twenty meters, has a broadly spreading crown with brown-brown branches and large, up to ten centimeters, broadly ovate leaves. Its fruits are large, purple or dark red with a sweetish sour taste. This tree has a very powerful root system.

In culture, the plant has been known for more than three millennia. People breed it not only for the delicious fruits, but also for the leaves, which are the main food for silkworms. In total, the genus has a dozen species.

Black mulberry (photo - in the article) is drought-resistant and photophilous. It is not at all demanding on the composition of the soil, but it grows best on well-drained fertile soil. Fruiting of this plant begins after planting in the fifth year. It can be accelerated by vaccinations. A ten-year-old black mulberry can produce up to one hundred kilograms of fruits, which ripen gradually, crumbling as they mature. They can be used both fresh and in compotes, juices and preserves.

Due to its heat resistance and ability to tolerate pruning, mulberries are often used for landscaping. In addition, it tolerates short-term frosts well, quickly recovering during the growing season.

In the East, black mulberry is considered a sacred plant. Under its crown, a large dinner table, for which the whole family gathers. Amulets made from its wood are considered traditional amulets for In People's Karabakh, where sweet bread is baked from the marc, this plant is called the "king berry". Black mulberry is considered the "tree of life" with magical powers. In mythology, she symbolizes respect for parents and hard work.

The people of Armenia, which have centuries-old traditions in gardening and have extensive experience in winemaking, were the first to appreciate the life-giving virtues of nectar made from mulberry berries. They say that he was also appreciated by the Macedonian, who was treated to wine during a campaign in Persia.

Many Chinese legends tell that some varieties of this plant, in particular, the "black baroness" mulberry, which is considered the best, are used in the manufacture of silk. They say that Princess Li, resting under a huge one, noticed how the cocoon, which had fallen into her hot tea, began to bloom in iridescent shiny threads. This is how the Celestial Empire discovered the secret of the silkworm - the source of raw materials from which expensive silk is made.

Mulberries are not only suitable for processing. After drying, they can be stored for a long time as a substitute for sugar, of which they contain a lot. Due to the high iron content, berries are very useful for ulcers, anemia, heartburn, dysentery, etc. In addition, they lower blood pressure by normalizing metabolism. Many healers use them to treat the spleen and liver. Mulberry bark is known for its wound healing effects. A tincture from its leaves is also useful.

Black mulberry, or mulberry tree, is a deciduous, durable tree that has been cultivated since ancient times. Probably comes from Iran, occurs in the wild in Asia Minor. Grows in warm regions of Europe and North America, wild forms are often found in Spain and Italy, mainly on the edges and edges of forests. However, most often mulberry was used as decorative tree in parks and estates. An additional benefit mulberry tree the fruits were delicious. In Russia, black mulberry is very rare, cultivated only in warm regions of our country. Often in our country, white mulberries are grown, the fruits of which, after ripening, can have a purple-black color - the same as black mulberries. For this reason, the two trees are often confused. However, the fruits of black mulberry are tastier and not so cloying in taste.

Description

Black mulberry is a tree with a dense, beautiful spherical crown, reaching a height of up to 15 m. The tree is covered with large, attractive, distinctive leaves. They are thick and leathery, heart-shaped, serrated at the edges, and dark green in color. The leaf blades are very hairy, in contrast to the white mulberry, the leaves of which are smooth and shiny. From May to June, flowers develop, the male ones are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, the female ones in earrings, from which fleshy fruits are formed. Fruits densely cover the branches, gradually ripening from mid-July to August. Dark red, black spherical fruits up to 3 cm in diameter. Ripe fruits fall off quickly. The intense color of the juice stains the skin. Therefore, do not plant a tree near sidewalks so that fallen fruits do not cause aesthetic dirt.

Growing

Black mulberry has similar requirements to white mulberry. There is soil tolerance. Warm, well-drained sandy or clay soils... Does not tolerate heavy and waterlogged soils. The tree has a deep, well-developed root system, thanks to which it can receive water and nutrients from the deep layers of the soil. This thermophilic species grows well in sunny places protected from the wind. Black mulberry is not so resistant to low temperatures like white, in cold regions, especially young shoots can freeze. Young trees protect from frost before winter. The tree carries air pollution, is recommended as an ornamental tree, and is used in urban green spaces. The tree grows quickly, within 10 years it can reach 8 m in height and up to 5 m in width, therefore it is an excellent plant for large gardens... Does not require pruning, although it can be formed into tall hedges or pruned to limit growth. This procedure should be carried out in winter period when the plant is completely dormant, because the mulberries secrete a milky sap that oozes abundantly from the wounded tissue. Avoid heavy pruning. If necessary, remove dried out branches, as well as crisscrossing branches that are over-thickening the crown. This plant is rarely affected by pests and diseases, does not require chemical protection and is suitable for growing ecological products.

Reproduction

Mulberry is propagated by wood cuttings. In early spring or fall, take 30 cm shoots so that they contain a 2 year old woody base. You need to delete everything side shoots, the seedlings should have at least 3 healthy buds and then plant them 10 cm in the ground. You can place them right in the place where the tree will grow, but in our climate it is better to root them in warm room... Young trees can also be grown from seeds. However, they germinate best when subjected to 2–3 months of stratification, that is, lower temperatures and increased watering (winter dormancy). Potted plants can only be planted in the ground in late spring or early summer, when the danger of the last frost has passed. Plant a young tree in an open, sunny place, feed organic fertilizer... Pay Special attention so as not to damage fragile roots.

Properties and application

Black mulberries should be eaten immediately after harvest or processing and are not suitable for long-term storage. The fruit is juicy and slightly tart, with a refreshing taste - ideal for desserts, jam, marmalade, juice and tinctures. In addition to its taste, it also contains many important nutrients and vitamins, in particular vitamins A, C, B vitamins, flavonoids, coumarins and tannins. Mulberries also contain anthocyanins, which are natural dyes, so their juice can be used to color dairy products. In addition, these compounds have strong antioxidant properties.

Almost all parts of the plant have long been used in Chinese medicine. Berries stimulate the immune system, cleanse the body and have a diuretic effect. Fruit juice is useful in the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, in addition, it has hematopoietic and hemostatic properties, it is recommended for anemia. Leaf preparations, like white mulberry leaves, are effective in lowering blood sugar levels. The leaf extracts are antibacterial, astringent and diaphoretic. The bark has an antitussive, expectorant and diuretic, and the infusions are used internally in the treatment of asthma, cough and bronchial inflammation.

Hello everyone! We continue to acquaint you with medicinal plants. This material contains black mulberry. Treatment with black mulberry at home, useful and medicinal properties, methods of application and recipes, useful tips... So, let's begin!

What you will learn from this material:

Mulberry black description

Black mulberry is a fruit tree common in many Asian and European countries. Black mulberry is included in the genus Mulberry, which belongs to the mulberry family. Today the tree is highly valued, and not only because of the usefulness and exquisite taste of the fruit.

Black mulberry is used to grow silkworms, or silkworms, which produce silk threads to create natural fabric... In addition, in Asia, they practice the cultivation of black mulberry to obtain valuable and durable wood from which musical instruments are made.

On the territory of Russia, this practice was also widespread, but when the number of plants began to decrease significantly, ecologists sounded the alarm. Since 2011, a ban on the harvesting and use of black mulberry wood has come into force in the Russian Federation.

In addition to the above, mulberry is a famous delicacy, and is also an irreplaceable remedy, since the leaves of the tree also have a pronounced healing effect and have been used since antiquity for healing and in the treatment of certain diseases.

According to the Taoist Feng Shui practice, a dining table, gazebo or bench for relaxing in the courtyard should be located just under the black mulberry. According to Eastern teachings, this contributes to harmony, peace and well-being - when the family gathers at the table located under this tree, it receives a positive energy charge to strengthen relationships and success in life.

What does black mulberry look like?

Surely, almost everyone knows what black mulberry looks like and many even grow this beautiful tree on their garden plots... Despite the fact that the tree is native to the warm countries of Asia, it surprisingly easily tolerates the harsh climate and is grown in almost all regions, as well as in southern Russia and in middle lane is often found in the wild. What does a black mulberry look like - consider a detailed botanical description of this plant.

Black mulberry is a perennial tree with a developed, expanding, knotty rhizome.
The average height of a tree is 7-8 meters, maximum height- 13-15 meters.
The leaves of the tree are heart-shaped, rather large, and serrated along the edges.
Flowering begins in April-May, and fruiting occurs in June. The smallest paniculate inflorescences with small greenish-white flowers.
Compound fruits, that is, black mulberries are juicy, up to 3 cm in length, depending on the variety. The juice contains a deep purple pigment that strongly stains the skin.

Wild mulberries usually have small berries, and home varietal differs in larger berries. However, small berries of wild-growing mulberry have a richer composition and a pronounced sweetish taste.

The medicinal properties of black mulberry

Most often, mulberry fruits and leaves are used for treatment, however, some traditional medicine recipes require the use of tree bark. The medicinal properties of black mulberry are due to the fact that all parts of the plant are rich in biologically active substances. However, the plant is not pharmacopoeial and is not included in the list of officially recognized medicinal plants... But, centuries-old folk experience shows that black mulberry is really good for health and can cope with some diseases very successfully. Consider full list medicinal properties of the plant.

Black mulberry is an irreplaceable remedy for viral infections. It has a pronounced antiviral and immunomodulating effect, stimulates the production of interferon and protects the body from the harmful effects of viruses in colds, SARS, herpes and other viral diseases.
Mulberry has the ability to restore the normal blood composition - it normalizes the functioning of the hematopoietic organs, and due to the content of ascorbic acid and iron, it increases hemoglobin and helps to recover from previous diseases.
Mulberry stimulates the stomach and other organs of the digestive system.
Mulberry is a versatile remedy for blood pressure problems. It is universal because one part of the tree lowers the plant, while others at correct application able to increase.
Mulberry is an ideal anti-aging agent, as it contains antioxidants that prevent premature aging and neutralize the ravages of time on the body and appearance.
Mulberry, despite its high content of various sugars, is very beneficial for people suffering from diabetes. It evens out the production of enzymes, lowers blood sugar levels.
Mulberry helps to solve vision problems and improves blood flow to the eye tissues.
Mulberry has a beneficial effect on nervous system, protects it, improves the conductivity of neurons, reduces the level of stress reactions, and helps with excessive irritability, anxiety, apathy.
Mulberry has a beneficial effect on activities of cardio-vascular system, however, for some problems with the heart and blood vessels, it is contraindicated - read about this below.
Mulberry is a multivitamin berry, 100 grams of berries contain the daily rate of microelements and vitamins necessary for the vital activity of the body.
The plant helps with diarrhea, has a pronounced astringent effect and normalizes bowel function.
The bark and leaves of the plant are used to restore and heal the skin. Helps with different types dermatitis, mulberry is indispensable for allergic rashes.
Mulberry has antipyretic and diaphoretic properties, cleanses the body.
Mulberry protects the kidneys from the formation of stones, has a diuretic effect.

In addition to the above-described medicinal properties of black mulberry, the plant is also useful as a food product, it is not only a therapeutic, but also a prophylactic agent.

Contraindications

The use of mulberries for medicinal purposes is highly discouraged in the presence of contraindications. The therapeutic effect is possible only if the body normally tolerates active substances which are found in herbal remedies. In detail about the contraindications below is a list of all diseases and conditions in which treatment with black mulberry is prohibited.

Mulberries, especially sweet varieties, should not be used for hypertension - they greatly increase blood pressure.
With diabetes mellitus, you should limit the consumption of fruits, because they contain a lot of sugar. Daily rate- no more than 40-50 grams.
For heart disease accompanied by cyanosis, mulberries should not be consumed.
Mulberry is contraindicated in irritable bowel syndrome.
Use berries with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is important to first coordinate each new product in the diet with your doctor. In the normal course of pregnancy in the second trimester, mulberry will only benefit.

It is especially dangerous to use mulberries for medicinal purposes in case of allergic reactions to this product. Individual intolerance is a categorical contraindication to the use of fruits and treatment with other parts of the plant.

Collection and procurement

Harvesting black mulberry raw materials requires the right approach and knowledge of several nuances. It is important to collect at a time when the greatest amount of valuable substances accumulates in the plant raw materials. Consider the rules for collecting and harvesting black mulberry.

The use of plant buds and twigs is widespread - they contain tannins, have a pronounced choleretic, antitussive and diuretic effect. The collection of twigs and buds begins in the spring - young shoots are cut, crushed and dried until brittle.
The mulberry leaves are full nutrients throughout the season, but it is best to harvest them when the tree is actively blooming. The drying principle is standard.
The bark of the tree is cut after the end of the fruiting season or in early spring. The bark must dry to a state of brittleness, after which it is ground into powder and stored in a closed container.
The berries are harvested in the ripeness season, they can be stored different ways... Mulberries are frozen, canned, dried. The best option- juicing or freezing.

The shelf life for all types of raw materials is 1.5-2 years. Storage conditions are standard - a room with moderate humidity and an air temperature of 5 to 30 degrees.

If you picked black mulberries and forgot to put on gloves beforehand so as not to get dirty, do not rush to rub the code with all known detergents... Black mulberry stains are easily wiped off the skin and washed off clothes with white mulberry juice!

Growing

Contrary to the popular myth that mulberries grow only in the south, many grow them in regions with unfavorable climates and cold winters. In fact, black mulberries adapt better to harsh climates than white mulberries, but only if you know a few planting and care secrets. So let's consider general rules for growing black mulberry.

Black mulberry reproduces well vegetatively and by seed method... But, it is better to plant with cuttings or ready-made seedlings - then fruiting will begin much earlier. Trees planted from seeds need about 7-10 years to develop and start fruiting, and seedlings will begin to bear fruit in 5-6 years.
Sprouts are planted in open, sunny areas with fertile soil, pre-digging it and supplementing the composition with the introduction of organic fertilizers.
If you plan to grow in regions with harsh winters, it is best to bring the mulberry sprout from the forest. The fact is that wild black mulberry tolerates frosts more easily and does not die, like a varietal, hybrid one. Over time, when the tree grows stronger, it will be possible to vaccinate.

A young tree for the winter must be carefully insulated, watered with the same frequency as other fruit trees. Mulberry does not tolerate waterlogging and prolonged drought. Top dressing is done twice a year - in spring and summer, before the start of fruit formation.

Applications and recipes

The various useful and medicinal properties of black mulberry were listed above, and now we will consider best recipes and methods of using the plant material in order to obtain the maximum therapeutic potency from the plant. So, we will consider how and for what diseases black mulberry is used.

Black mulberry from anemia and loss of strength

Treatment of anemia with mulberries is very effective, however, the problem is that only fresh berries or juice are suitable for these purposes. The exact same recipe is used for exhaustion, loss of energy or chronic fatigue. So how do you take mulberries to restore hemoglobin and vitality?

To treat anemia, a glass of juice with a teaspoon of honey is drunk 3 times a day before meals. Be sure to include in the diet products of animal origin - eggs, milk, meat.
With chronic fatigue, eat 50 grams of berries on an empty stomach or fresh juice in the same volume for 2 weeks.
Canned mulberry juice is drunk in a glass 3-5 times a day, adding honey or mixing with grape juice.

Cough mulberry

From the useful reception of black mulberry in different dosage forms... Recipes for popular cough remedies from this plant:

Brew 2 tablespoons of dry leaves with 400 ml of boiling water, let it brew for 1 hour and drink 50 ml each.
Dry berries are pounded into powder, a teaspoon is brewed with a glass of boiling water and 100 ml is drunk warm. The cough disappears in 3-5 days.

Mulberry for kidney treatment

As an anti-inflammatory and diuretic, a decoction is made from black mulberry twigs. Crushed raw materials are first poured cold, 2 tablespoons per 1 liter, boiled and drunk 200 ml 3 times a day. Do not use in case of severe edema and in case of detection of erythrocytes in the urine.

Mulberry to normalize blood pressure

Black mulberry is a versatile plant that is suitable for both hypotonic and hypertensive patients. Consider the recipes.

At reduced pressure, 50 ml of fresh juice is taken in the morning for 3 weeks.
At high blood pressure twigs with buds are brewed, 1 tablespoon per 400 ml, boiled for 3-5 minutes and drunk during the day instead of water.

Silky infusion for colds

Mulberry is a reliable antiviral agent that can be used for colds. Berry juice - the best way... It is warmed up to room temperature or diluted with warm, boiled water, adding honey. Drink before meals!

Tincture for diabetes

With diabetes mellitus, eating a large number of berries is contraindicated due to the high concentration of sugars in them. But, it is possible to normalize blood sugar levels and cope with the negative consequences of diabetes mellitus with the help of alcohol tincture. Dried berries are poured with alcohol, in a ratio of 1: 1, insisted for 2 weeks and the resulting tincture is taken 1 teaspoon 2 times a day, in the mornings and evenings.

Dandruff mulberry

For dandruff, rinsing the head with an infusion of black mulberry leaves is useful, and the juice from the fresh leaves is rubbed into the scalp as a mask using a massage brush to improve blood circulation. Keep the mask on the scalp for at least 15 minutes, repeat 2 times a week. Rinses can be used daily

Mulberry for the nervous system

With epilepsy, neuroses, sleep disorders and depression, mulberry juice is taken for a course of up to 60 days. Start with one tablespoon 3 times a day, gradually increasing the dose, reaching 1 glass per dose and gradually decreasing in reverse order number. When stressed, tea made from mulberry leaves and twigs with honey can help end a bad day.

Blackberry-shaped mulberries are extremely beneficial and are used as a natural antiseptic.

Mulberry in medicine: benefits and contraindications of fruits

Mulberry- a genus of deciduous trees of the mulberry family. In culture for over 3000 years. People breed them for the leaves - the main food of silkworms and how fruit crop... There are about 10 species in the genus in total, but three are most often used. The berries are a cluster of juicy grains with a skin, pulp and a small grain.

There are many species, forms and varieties, among which black, white and red mulberries stand out for their fruits. All species are fast-growing deciduous dioecious plants, distinguished by a variety of leaf shapes, which even on one branch can be three-, five-fingered and whole heart-shaped.

All parts of the mulberry tree contain milky sap, which is released during injuries to plant tissues. The fruits resemble berries or, in some cases, contain seeds, in others they are seedless.

As you can see in the photo, mulberries are drupe-shaped and reach 2-3 cm:

The fruits are juicy, sweet, and have a pleasant aroma. The first fruits begin to ripen in mid-July. The main ripening period comes at the end of July and beginning of August.

In medicine, mulberry was first used by the medieval Persian scientist, physician and philosopher Abu Ali ibn Sina - Avicenna, who was one of the first to draw attention to the benefits of the use of this plant.

All parts of the tree are used for treatment - roots, bark, leaves and fruits. This plant is an excellent natural antiseptic, can be used as an anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic, astringent.

It is used in the production of sugar, citric acid and vinegar. V folk medicine this unique herb can provide tangible benefits in the treatment of many diseases. Berries, fully ripe, are an excellent laxative and are suitable for constipation. Green fruits are used for diarrhea. Juice diluted with boiled water is used to rinse the mouth for sore throats. An infusion of mulberry bark and berries is effective for acute respiratory infections, bronchitis, bronchial asthma.

As a diuretic, decoctions of bark and roots are used for hypertension. The leaves are infused and infused with fever to lower the temperature. The use of berries in large quantities is recommended for heart disease and myocardial dystrophy. A healing powder is made from the bark, if you mix it with oil, you get a remedy for the healing of wounds, cuts, and ulcers. This ointment quickly removes bruises.

Eating it helps in the treatment of prostatitis and impotence, with uterine bleeding and for the relief of menopause.

The main contraindication of mulberry is individual intolerance. Excessive consumption of this berry can cause disorders of the digestive system. In addition, people with diabetes or hypertension should consult a doctor before eating berries.

Black and white mulberry: photo and description

There are about 24 species of mulberry growing in the East and South East Asia, on the Sunda Islands, in India, in southern North America, partly in Africa and southern Europe. In culture, 2 types are widespread - white and black mulberries.

Grown for the sake of fruit and for the sake of leaves for feeding silkworms. For feeding the silkworm, white mulberry, silkworm and multi-stemmed mulberry are cultivated, and black mulberry is also cultivated to obtain fruits.

White mulberry can have not only white, but also pink, yellow and even black fruits - this variety got its name thanks to light color tree bark.

White mulberry is native to Asia Minor and East. It is a fast-growing tall long-lived tree with a dense spherical or spreading crown. The leaves on the same tree grow in a variety of configurations, in summer they are dark green, and in autumn they are yellow. In this type of mulberry, berries deserve a special description - they are surprisingly sugary in taste.

It is unpretentious to the soil and to the conditions of detention - it grows successfully in urban conditions, and its long roots help to fix slopes and ravines. At a young age, he easily tolerates a transplant. This species can withstand significant frosts (up to -30 degrees), and when young branches freeze after pruning, it quickly grows back and restores fruiting.

Grown by gardeners and as an ornamental plant: there are many garden forms with a weeping, pyramidal, spherical, multi-stemmed, dwarf crown and a variety of leaves. Decorative forms propagated by grafting and vegetatively.

Pay attention to the photo - white mulberry used for single, group planting and for creating dense hedges, as it tolerates regular haircuts.

Black mulberry originally from Iran and Afghanistan. In nature and in hot countries, it is large tree up to 15 m high. The wide spreading crown is covered with large leaves. Shiny black fruits are very juicy and tasty, sweetish-sour.

Summer green deciduous tree with a low, very wide and spreading crown. The tree is usually much larger in width than in height. The trunk is often twisted, curved, or curved. The bark is dark brown or orange-brown, fissured. Leaves 7-18 cm long and about 8 cm wide, broadly oval and cordate, with a short slender apex, deeply notched at the base, irregularly crenate along the edge, serrate-crenate or slightly lobed; on the upper side they are rough, pubescent, light green to bright green, on the bottom - light green, with soft pubescence.

The plant is monoecious. Male earrings are short and thickened, pale green. The female inflorescences are even shorter. The fruits do not develop from carpels, but from the elements of the flower cover. Blooms in May-June.

Below are descriptions of black and white mulberry varieties.

Black Baroness. Deciduous, dioecious tree with a moderately dense globular crown. Flowers are dioecious, collected in ears. Leaves are simple 3-5 lobed or whole. Compound fruit is a large one-dimensional edible, juicy, sugary complex drupe of dense black color. The taste is very sweet, pleasant almost without acid. The aroma is negligible. Fruiting is abundant and regular, the berries ripen in June-July. The yield is high. The transportability of the berries is satisfactory. The shelf life of fresh berries without spoilage is 6-12 hours. The variety is unpretentious to soil and keeping conditions. Withstands frosts of -30 ° C and above.

Dark girl- a variety of white mulberry. Large deciduous tree with a dense spreading crown. The yield is high. Fruits are almost black, up to 3.5 cm in length and 1.2 cm in diameter, juicy, sweet, ripen in June-July. Transportability is good. When describing this mulberry variety, it is especially worth noting frost resistance, drought resistance and unpretentiousness of trees.

Black Istanbul mulberry. One of the largest mulberry varieties. Tall tree up to 7 m high. The crown is dense, spherical. Begins fruiting in 4 years.

Look at the photo - this black mulberry has small flowers, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences:

Leaves are ovoid. Blooms in late April. Ripe fruits are almost black in color, large, 3 cm long. The ripening period is long from the second decade of July to August - the third decade.

Unpretentious to soil and conditions of detention. Withstands frosts down to -30 ° С

Planting and caring for mulberries in spring and autumn

The plant is easy to grow, its unpretentiousness allows it to be planted on any soil. The plant loves moderate watering and soil mulching. The tree perfectly tolerates pruning, this leads to the fact that the crown becomes thicker and more spherical. In winter, no shelter is required - it withstands frost well. In summer, she calmly withstands drought. Propagated by cuttings, seeds, or by separating offspring from the mother plant.

There are two main planting methods: saplings and seeds.

For planting and subsequent care of mulberries, a sunny place is used, the soil should be loose so that it is easier to make grooves. These grooves must be well watered with water, it is advisable to add fertilizer to the water for fruit and berry crops.

Sow seeds as rarely as possible - this will facilitate the planting of seedlings. It is necessary to sow seeds at 3 - 5 cm depth, after sowing, water and mulch abundantly so that the soil does not dry out. When planting in the fall, take care of insulation so that the seeds do not freeze.

After the seedlings grow, they need to be watered and weeded periodically. Seedlings can be fed with fertilizers for better growth... At proper care mulberry seedlings will be strong and large by autumn. They will need to be seated - the distance should be from 3 to 5 meters.

Saplings should be planted in early spring in the sunniest place. After digging a hole, add compost or nutrient soil to it, pour abundantly with water diluted in it with fertilizer for better rooting of seedlings and cover with soil. Water and mulch the soil around the seedling again.

Mulberry care in spring, summer and autumn consists of weeding and watering. Seedlings can also be planted in the fall, but this must be done a month and a half before frost. To prevent the tree from growing too large and looking well-groomed, its crown must be periodically trimmed and shaped.

Pruning mulberry trees (with video)

Mulberry pruning is carried out only during the period of complete rest from the beginning to the middle of winter. In older trees, however, intensive sap flow may already occur at this time; a red-hot poker is traditionally used to cauterize wounds.

Prune old trees only when necessary - remove infected and damaged branches in summer. Juice is also secreted through the wounds in the roots, do not cut them off when planting.

Late pruning of a well-formed tree can be kept to an absolute minimum.

Have young tree clear the branches with a stem to a height of 1.5 m so that the spreading branches of an adult plant do not fall to the ground.

Unwanted shoots on the emerging stem are shortened in the first year, and completely removed in the second.

To form a structurally strong tree, try to keep the main shoot up to a height of about 6 m, tie it up if necessary and remove competing leaders, otherwise allow the crown to develop naturally.

Low-growing compact trees can be formed to facilitate harvesting.

Cut off the apical shoot just above 3-4 strong upper lateral shoots, at a height of 1-1.5 meters. Form a skeleton of 8-10 branches, like a low-stemmed apple tree.

Then allow the crown to grow naturally by keeping pruning to a minimum. Unwanted shoots must be plucked or cut quickly.

Young trees are easy to form. Saplings slowly form lateral shoots, so pruning them to clear the stem may only be required after 3-4 years, as with some decorative standard trees.

When the stem is formed, allow the crown to develop naturally or, to form a more compact tree, prune the top and upper side branches, as in the low-stem, this year and next.

Watch the video of mulberry trimming to better understand how this procedure is performed:

Mulberry grafting rules

If for some reason the plant produces low-quality fruits, or you want to grow several varieties on the same tree at once, then the grafting procedure will help you.

The first step is to ensure that the cuttings are prepared in advance. Annual shoots are cut from the top of the crown fruit tree from the well-lit side in early spring or at the end of winter, when there are no longer severe frosts. Store them raw cool place wrapped in a damp cloth. It is very important that the cuttings are prepared correctly and not frozen over.

Most often, mulberries are grafted in the spring, early or mid-April. The spring grafting period begins with the beginning of budding on the tree and lasts until the end of flowering. At this time, the circulation of sap in the tree trunk reaches its peak, which means that there is a high likelihood of fusion between the scion and rootstock.

Vaccination in the summer is also encouraged, it can be repeated - after an unsuccessful procedure in the spring. For summer inoculation by budding, shoots of the current year are used, and not harvested in advance. To do this, you should choose vegetative shoots: elongated, fruitful and with large leaves... It is also important that the kidneys on them are well developed.

It is very important to follow the rules of mulberry grafting:

The work should be done with clean and well-sharpened tools so that the cuts are of good quality the first time.
The places of the cuts are quickly oxidized, so the work must be done quickly enough.
The wounds, after the procedure, must be treated with a special putty - garden varnish or oil paint.

Black mulberry belongs to the trees of the Mulberry family, its foliage is simple oval with jagged edges, and the berries are very fleshy, dark in color. The plant is quite common, and you can see it in different territories, from the Kuril Islands to European countries. Persia is considered his homeland, from where this tree with sweet and useful fruits was distributed to the countries of Asia, America, Europe.

By the way, in Europe, two types of mulberry are most often cultivated: black and white. The latter is grown to feed silkworms.

Black mulberry tree: description of leaves, berries and wood

The black mulberry has coarser leaves than its "congener". The fruits of this tree are indispensable in cooking. Wood is also used, which has high elasticity and strength. It is used in different types carpentry, as well as for the production of musical instruments.

For some external characteristics black mulberry differs significantly from its "white" counterparts in its description:

the color of the bark and young shoots is much darker;
the foliage is larger and tougher.

The mulberry tree is large enough and can grow up to 15 m in height, but when correct pruning manages to maintain a neat shape or even give it the appearance of a coppice bush.

In the early years, the development of the plant is active, but gradually slows down.

The color is very small and hardly noticeable among the dense foliage of the tree, pollination occurs with the help of the wind. The berries of black mulberry, depending on the variety, can be quite large. They are dark, complex in shape, reminiscent of the structure of raspberries or blackberries. The berry is sweet, fleshy and juicy, with very small seeds. Ripening is uneven, so you can harvest from June to August.

Even despite the fact that warm Persia is considered the homeland of the plant, black mulberry grows in the Moscow region, where the climate is rather harsh. The tree tolerates frost and gives good yields. The plant is able to easily endure prolonged drought, is not too demanding on soils and can develop rapidly even in saline soils. Often, the planting of these trees can be found in the rather harsh regional zones of Russia, where winter frosts can reach -30 degrees. Such resistance was acquired by new varieties that were bred by breeders. Therefore, many varieties, including those described below, of black mulberry planted in the Moscow region, do not require a specific approach when growing and caring for.

Description of black mulberry varieties and their features

Breeders have bred many varieties of black mulberry. Below are the main characteristics of some varieties common in medium-sized regions, giving high yields, with a description of their features.

Fruit-4 - this variety has a small crown size, but at the same time a high yield. The berries are large - up to 4 cm in length, black in color, sweet in taste, but have light refreshing notes. The fruits are quite firm, so they are resistant to transportation over long distances.

Black mulberry with the name of the Black Baroness variety was obtained as a result of the work of domestic breeders. The berries are distinguished by their large size and sweet taste; when ripe, they become almost black in color. The peak of fruit harvesting is in July, and up to 100 kg of the crop can be harvested from one tree. The black baroness endures very coldy, takes root on any soil.

Shelley is known by many gardeners as one of the most productive mulberry varieties with good decorative effect. Bears fruits up to 5.5 cm in length, and the peak yield occurs at the end of July. The berry is characterized by a dense consistency and retains its fresh appearance for a long time after harvest.

The Black Prince mulberry tree produces large glossy dark berries reaching 5 cm in length. It has many advantages, which lie both in the ease of caring for it and in high yield rates. Able to withstand prolonged drought, not subject to low temperatures, rarely amenable to diseases. The fruit is firm enough to withstand transportation.

Hargut begins to bear fruit in the third year, the berries are very large, reach 5.5 cm in length, fleshy and black. By its gustatory characteristics, the fruit juice resembles the "Cahors" wine. This black mulberry, based on the description of this variety, is ideal for winemaking. The plant is quite resistant to diseases and unfavorable conditions growth.

Many varieties of black mulberry are grown specifically for harvesting good harvests berries, but there are also those that are used as ornamental plants... These include weeping mulberry, pyramidal, spherical, golden, Tatar, etc.

Look at the black mulberry decorative varieties in the photo: at correct formation crowns can be obtained very interesting and unusual trees:

Photo gallery

The choice of a variety largely depends on what exactly you want to get from the mulberry on your site: aesthetic beauty or a good harvest.

Mulberry care principles

If you decide to plant black mulberry on a plot, the cultivation of which does not require significant investments or knowledge in gardening, then remember the basic simple principles of caring for it:

Even despite the fact that many varieties of this plant are not very demanding for watering and can withstand prolonged droughts, watering is still necessary, especially in the first half of summer. Timely soil moisture from April to July with the addition of mineral and organic dressings will help the tree gain strength, give a good succulent harvest and endure severe frosts.

An adult mulberry tree of some varieties can be very tall and bulky, therefore, in order for the plant not only to give a rich harvest, but also to look aesthetically beautiful on your site, it is necessary to carry out sanitary and decorative trim in early spring. If you want to get a tree no higher than 2 m, then the formation takes place with a stem of 0.5-1.5 m.

This is the main thing that should be followed when planting black mulberries, and care when growing trees. Most often, shoots or green cuttings from an adult tree are taken for planting on the site. The survival rate of this method is very high, while maintaining all the characteristics of the maternal variety.