The weeping mulberry (‘Pendula’ Morus alba) is simply one of a kind, charisma in the form of a tree, with a style and presence that flows like a waterfall. This ornamental tree has long been in demand for landscaping because of its beauty and vigor in different growth conditions. This article will tell you what a weeping mulberry is, what it looks like, and how to care for this lovely tree.

Understanding the Weeping Mulberry

The weeping mulberry is a cultivar of the white mulberry, Morus alba, which is native to China and widely cultivated for its leaves, which are the chief food of silkworms. In the case of the weeping mulberry, the important use, however, is ornamental, for it is sufficiently arborescent to sustain an air of grace.

1. Height and Spread: This weeping mulberry reaches about 6-15 feet tall and roughly that wide. It is possible to prune it back regularly, so it doesn’t get so high, which makes it suitable for almost any size of garden.
2. Leaves: Ovate and dark green, the glossy foliage forms quite a sumptuous canopy. The dense canopy formed by the foliage does clean up when shed, turning to an ever-changing hue of yellows in the fall.
3. Flowering and Fruiting: Weeping mulberries produce greenish inconspicuous flowers in spring. Flowers are followed by small, sweet, and juicy mulberry fruits which resemble blackberries. The fruit is edible and enjoyed by birds and wildlife. .
4. Bark: Grayish brown, rough, and more so with age; becoming quite attractive in appearance.

How to Plant a Weeping Mulberry

Choosing an appropriate site and proper soil preparation are essential when planting a weeping mulberry tree.

Where

The weeping mulberry does not mind a bit of shaded area with full sunlight. They do well in well-drained soil, though they can put up with most kinds of soil, be it clay, loam, or sandy soils. The trees require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for maximum growth and productivity of fruits.

Soil Preparation

Although weeping mulberries do not mind poor conditions, incorporating organic matter such as compost in planting will enhance drainage and make available nutrients that would be crucial in establishing a healthy root system.

Planting Steps

1. Digging: It should be twice as wide in diameter and as deep as the root ball. This allows enough room to spread the roots.
2. Position the tree: Place the tree in the hole. The root flare should be level or slightly higher than grade.
3. Backfill: Fill the hole with thoroughly processed backfill and lightly tamp the soil to remove any air pockets.
4. Irrigation: Water the planted and settled tree well and irrigate the roots.
5. Mulching: Apply a layer that is 2-3 inches deep around the root area, keeping a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot.

Caring for a Weeping Mulberry

A weeping mulberry requires constant care to remain healthy and live for a very long time. These practices involve watering, fertilization, pruning, and monitoring the tree for any pests or diseases.

Watering

Although young weeping mulberry trees require frequent watering, their nature is of low maintenance. Usually, the trees are deeply watered once a week to deliver approximately 1 inch or 2.5 cm of water. After the trees are well established, they will have attained a drought tolerant state. Even then, an occasional deep watering-useful during long periods of dry weather is helpful.

Fertilization

Weeping mulberries are not too heavy on fertilization. A balanced and slow-acting fertilizer, when applied in early spring, will foster good growth. Over-fertilization will result in fast growth of leaves and will at the cost of fruit-bearing.

Pruning

1. Pruning is necessary for maintaining the shape as well as health of the weeping mulberry.
2. Time: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
3. Technique: All dead, diseased, or crossing branches should be removed. Thinning should be done to let in some air circulation and sunlight permeation. For the weeping forms, selective branches need to be removed in order not to lose the cascading effect.

Pests and Diseases

Weeping mulberries have some resistance to pests, but on rare occasions they could be infested with aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. Such pests can be controlled using insecticidal soaps or horticultural oil.

Commonly affected diseases are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot, mostly occurring in humid conditions with soils that have poorly drained conditions. Following are some of the preventive measures for the diseases:

1. Let proper air circulation with adequate spacings and pruning.
2. Avoid overhead watering. It reduces the duration of leaf wetness.
3. Use fungicides only when necessary according to label instructions.

Benefits of Weeping Mulberry

There are many advantages to having a wejson in the landscape other than its ornamental value.

It bears edible fruits

The mulberries from this tree are not just attractive but also quite great-tasting. They are consumed fresh and dried or in many ways – for example, jams, jellies, and desserts.

Wildlife Habitat

Weeping mulberry also offers food to a range of birds, butterflies, and pollinators. Birds particularly love the fruit, which makes the species very effective for bird-friendly landscapes.

Low Maintenance

However, after establishment, weeping mulberries require little maintenance. The reason is that it can bear a wide type of soils and has no pests or diseases, making the species easy to grow in a new landscape.

Erosion Control

Weeping mulberry trees have a much spread-out root system that helps bind the soil at the site of growth. Hence, one can say that this is the best to be used in soil conservation works on slopes and embankments.

This is the good-looking weeping mulberry tree, versatile in finding its way to enrich the beauty of a landscape with its gracefully cascading branches and dense green foliage. Bearing delectable fruit and interest for wildlife, it is also ease itself to maintain. For these reasons, interest from landscape designers and gardeners has largely focused on the weeping mulberry. There follows a treatise on the planting and care of a weeping mulberry.