Hicks Everbearing red mulberry is a native tree species and has both edible and ornamental features. It can live up to 125 years but the weedy invasive character is not appealing. It is more cold hardy than black mulberry. Hicks Everbearing have a reputation for dropping large amounts of fruit for up to 4 months. Hicks Everbearing is an older variety of mulberry and can be difficult to find. The Red mulberry is best grown in rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It will be at its best in full sun. Prune in late fall or winter to avoid bleeding. It is easily grown from seed or cuttings and may also self-seed somewhat prolifically. It does not do well in poor soil. The fruits are relished by birds but dropped fruit can cause maintenance issues such as staining concrete walkways, patios, and cars, so be aware of where the canopy will extend when choosing the location to plant one of these trees. These trees can become weedy. Herbicides are not effective, the best management is to hand pull seedlings when young. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Borers may be a problem with this plant, particularly in the South. Whiteflies mass on some trees. Bacterial blight may kill foliage/branches. Coral spot cankers may cause twig dieback. Bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, root rot, and witches broom may also occur. Watch for scale, mites, and mealybugs. Weedy self-seeding and messy fruit are concerns. More information on Morus rubra .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheMorus alba x rubra 'Silk Hope'Morus rubra 'Collier'Morus rubra 'Travis'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Native Plant; Perennial; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Oval; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Features alternate broad simple green leaves with notch at the base, fine, serrated margin. Upper surface is rough and under surface is full of soft hair.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Green
Flower form
Catkin; Insignificant
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The small yellowish-green flower is not showy. Male flower and female flower can bloom on the same tree or different trees.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Fragrant
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
It produces numerous reddish-black fruit that looks like blackberry but slender, with a size of 1 1/4''
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
Bark is grey-brown with a reddish tinge, scaly ridges that peel and curl.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Distribution
Found throughout the United States.
Wildlife value
Moderately resistant to deer. Fruit is eaten by birds and mammals.