Wednesday 23 October 2013

Our huge King White Mulberry Tree

Have you ever seen a King White or Shahtoot Mulberry tree (Morus Macroura)? At least that is what we think it is after doing a Google search and coming up with this search result. The photos of the fruit look the same so hopefully it isn't a case of mistaken identity again....and I did have my glasses on this time. :-)


When they turn a yellow colour the mulberries are extremely sweet and you wouldn't want to have a blood sugar test after having a few. They are much sweeter than the purple mulberries as far as I am concerned. Also they are non-staining unlike their purple cousins.

 

Like our purple mulberry tree this one is also massive and unfortunately has grown so big that it has become very unpopular as it shades the clothes line and in winter I can't get the clothes dry as the tree blocks the sun until late afternoon.

 
Well may you ask 'Why did you plant such a big tree near your clothes line?' I have been asking that question for years! Did I happen to mention that I didn't plant it? :-)
 


 
So far the flying foxes seem to have left it alone which is just as well as I often pick the mulberries and eat them while I am hanging out the washing. I dare say that they are just waiting for them to ripen up a bit more though before they get stuck into it. They are not my favourite creatures by any stretch of the imagination.

 
If you ever see one of these trees do have a taste of the mulberries....

 
...just make sure they aren't green but have turned a yellowish colour. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. If you want to buy one I found Daley's Fruit Tree Nursery in NSW sells them but I am sure they would be readily available in other states as well. There is a video on the nursery's website if you would like more information about the mulberry.

 
 
The neighbours of the white mulberries are these tamarillos and I am just waiting for them to ripen up before making some tamarillo chutney which I have been intending to make for years!
 
Have you ever come across the King White Mulberry in your travels?
 
 

 


10 comments:

  1. I have this tree too. We love the fruit and as it's fruiting right now, every afternoon when my husband arrives in from work, he puts his esky down and heads straight to the tree, standing there for a feed.

    In fact we loved it so much we bought two more as they're also - ahem - great shade trees!

    I'm not sure if I'll ever get enough to make a pie out of them as between Grandpa and the two kids and the rest of us, they're gobbled up straight off the tree.

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    1. Ree, I was reading the tips on that nursery website from people who have grown the tree and one person said the cockroaches love the fruit and to put a bait of half borax and half fine sugar, e.g. castor sugar at the base of the tree. Now I feel sick as I haven't been washing the fruit before eating it. :-) Better tell your hubby. LOL!

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    2. Thank goodness we don't get cockroaches here! Snakes, rats yes, cockroaches no!

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  2. You have some beautiful, shady trees there, Nanna Chel. I haven't seen mulberries like those before - they sound so yummy. We've got two black and two white mulberry trees - just 'ordinary' ones. The whites are rather tasteless but the birds don't seem to mind.
    Maddie

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    Replies
    1. Maddie, they certainly are a lovely shade tree on a hot day. Apparently it is a popular hybrid species in the Middle East and Pakistan due to being easy to grow and maintain as well as being an attractive fruiting tree. It gets no special treatment from us...we don't even water it so it survives on rainfall.

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  3. I have never seen this sort of mulberry before. They look really interesting!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy, they are much sweeter than the purple mulberry. Do you have the purple one in the US?

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  4. I love mulberries and didn't know they came in any colours other than purple. I have been thinking of planting some different varieties as they grow well here and I could always do with more. Thanks Nanna Chel.

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  5. Nice big tree, puts our pathetic little shrub to shame!

    I have to admit I have never heard of white mulberries, but we do have a white fig tree though :)

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  6. If only the cows would not eat our tree every time they are in that particular yard.

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