Mulberry Multi-Function Guild — FarmPal

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is one of the fastest-producing fruit trees, bearing within 2-3 years. An ideal anchor for chicken runs, as fallen fruit feeds poultry. Birds love mulberries plant AWAY from cars and laundry lines.

Central Tree
Mulberry
Spacing
25-35 feet
Establishment
2-3 years to heavy production

Guild Layers

Canopy
Mulberry (select fruitless male for shade OR fruiting female for harvest)
Understory
Fig (in warm microclimates), Serviceberry, American Plum
Shrub
Elderberry, Goumi (nitrogen fixer), Autumn Olive (nitrogen fixer), Nanking Cherry
Herbaceous
Comfrey (chop-and-drop mulch), Yarrow, Bee Balm, Anise Hyssop
Groundcover
White Clover (nitrogen), Strawberries, Creeping Thyme
Vine
Hardy Kiwi (on separate structure), Scarlet Runner Bean

Benefits

  • •Fastest fruit production of any tree (fruit in 2-3 years from planting)
  • •Extraordinary yields single tree can produce 100+ lbs/year
  • •Free chicken and duck feed from fallen fruit
  • •Silkworm fodder (historically important crop)
  • •Wood is excellent for mushroom cultivation (shiitake logs)
  • •Aggressive grower can be coppiced for firewood and mulch
  • •Attracts birds AWAY from other fruit crops (trap crop strategy)