Safe Black Mulberries?

I'm not interested so much in the berries as I am the leaves and bark of this tree. I'm looking for a live tree to grow for my birds to climb and chew like they would in the wild but I'm concerned about whether Morus nigra or Morus alba (not sure which I have) would be a safe idea.

This message was edited Jun 13, 2006 7:48 AM

Try Morus rubra. It's endangered and threatened in a few areas. I just planted three on my property.

I think mulberries are safe, but we do have several vets on this forum so hopefully one of them will confirm for you.

Regarding Equil's suggestion, plant red mulberry in your yard and plant white mulberry in your flight cage for the birds to hack at!

Guy S.

That's a good place for Morus alba.

I did plant the rubra on the property and when they get big enough, the mature mulberries I have right now are getting cut down to prevent cross pollination.

I'm wayyyy ahead of you guys with the natives!!! Except when it comes to something that I absolutely have to have but we all have our weaknesses.

I have a natives trade and discussion group on yahoo I've started. I would love for you guys to join. I don't know if I'm allowed to post it here? I can gmail the link if you're interested.

Way to go! You knew about the hybridization risk!

Hanging head in shame, "we all have our weaknesses"- me too but I'm slowly bur surely parting with them and replacing them with more responsible selections. I miss a few plants but I'm doing much better saying good bye.

I have no weaknesses . . .

Guy S.

No, of course not dear.

That ain't no weakness.
It's an informed choice, I tell ya!

Weakness is, like, being a Cubs fan or something!
Or trashing wonderful husbands at silly hen parties!

Aaarrrrgghhhhh!

Yes dear, uh huh.

The mulberries are safe for birds(berries, leaves, bark), so far as I'm aware - though some individuals(can't speak for the birds here) can have an allergic reaction to the latex-like sap that many members of the Moraceae exude.

Hey Lucky, I took this photo special for you and was waiting to get a chance to post it-

Welllll. Ain't THAT nice!
Love you too, sweetie. 8>)

Saw a plethora of those buggers while I was visiting down in Sweet Home AL, last week.

Why this one was a specimen tree! Imagine that, they done had it all purtied up and underplanted as a specimen complete with a nice park bench near by. tee he! I looked at that perfectly mulched tree and started cracking up laughing as thoughts of how impressed you would be with how well tended that specimen tree was floated through my head.

Hey Lucky, how are those hickory broom grafts looking? Did they take?

Guy S.

Guy,
I need to get out and look again - I know I've got at least two doing well on both pecan and shagbark hickory rootstocks, but think there are at least a couple more on pecan that are trying to hang in there, pushing growth from latent buds.

That's pretty amazing, as late as we took them . . .