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Morus alba

July

The white mulberry is not just a mulberry with

white fruit, it is a different species of tree, a

lighter, more elegant, faster-growing tree with

pale glossy leaves of oddly various shapes that glitter in the sun. If we all love black mulberries

for their venerable air, their cragginess and

their acidic fruit, I find the white a finer ornament

in the garden, now, while its fruit is ripening, and

for a long period in October when its shining

dome of leaves turns  to pure pale yellow.

I admit the fruit is disappointing. It is borne in

huge quantities, starting yellow-green and

turning milk-white as it ripens. It has a distinct, rather forest-floor flavour, slightly sweet but

without the acidity that makes its black cousin interesting. A pretty addition to a fruit salad in

any case.

More importantly, this is the mulberry that silk worms love. Sadly our climate (so far) has

been too cool for the worms to thrive here,

despite the celebrated efforts of King James I

of England and VI of Scotland.

Back to May's Tree of the Month

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