Homer Mulberry Tree

The "Homer" Mulberry is a variety that was growing on our property in south Georgia when we moved here in 2013. It was planted by my wife's grandfather long before we moved here and has provided a wealth of berries in our backyard over the years. After speaking with many mulberry experts in an attempt to identify the variety, we were unable to match the characteristics of this mulberry variety with any known varieties. As a result, we've named it after my wife's grandfather, whose name was Homer. To the best of our knowledge, this is a hybridized version of Morus rubra (red mulberry) which is native to Eastern and Central North America. These trees can get quite large over time (30' tall and wide) and provide lots of beauty in addition to all the delicious mulberries. This species is said to be cold-hardy in zones 4-10, with established trees able to tolerate temperates as low as -25°F. Younger, newly planted trees should be protected from extreme cold. Due to the fact that mulberries can easily stain surfaces, we wouldn't recommend planting it near concrete driveways or porches. Unlike the white mulberry (Morus alba) which can be considered invasive, red mulberries like this variety are typically not. We've never seen a volunteer plant in ten plus years enjoying this tree. Just be sure to plant it in a spot where it will have plenty of room to grow and expand. With some light pruning each winter, this variety makes an excellent shade tree for the front or backyard. The Homer Mulberry produces a significant crop of mulberries in early to mid Spring. It will occasionally produce a few berries in the late summer and fall months, but the bulk of the production will occur in the spring. The berries will start red and ripen to a dark purple or black color. The berries are elongated and very sweet, which makes this variety superb for making jelly, cobblers, or other sweet treats.