Broussonetia
( broo - soh - NEE - she - uh )
At-A-Glance Information
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This genus of deciduous trees and shrubs needs full sun and little to moderate water. Commonly called Paper Mulberry or Tapa Cloth Tree, this is a fast-growing tree that reaches 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide (though in gardens it is usually more compact and shrubby). It is native to mountains and forested areas of China and Japan, where its inner, fibrous bark is used to make paper and cloth. Outer bark is smooth and grey and leaves are heart-shaped and green on top, grey and velvety underneath. In the spring, male catkins produce pollen that can cause allergies, and the female wind-pollinated flowers are followed by red fruits. These are drought-tolerant choices for adding shade and interest to gardens (outside of zones 11-13). Take care when planting Paper Mulberry in your garden, as the pollen can be a real problem for sensitive individuals.
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Broussonetia species and varietals
The genus Broussonetia is a member of the plant family Moraceae and includes 4 species, only one of which is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental. The genus name honors Pierre Auguste Marie Broussonet, French naturalist and physician. Paper Mulberry trees grow best in zones 3b-24, H1 and H2 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map).
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Broussonetia papyrifera (Morus papyrifera) (Paper Mulberry, Tapa Cloth Tree, Wauke) These trees are native to mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Myanmar, and India. This species reaches between 33 and 66 feet tall when mature, and produces variable-shaped green leaves. Male catkins and female half-inch spherical flower heads are produced on separate trees. |
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Caring for and pruning broussonetia Trees
Choose a planting spot in your yard that receives full sun to partial shade. These trees are adaptable, and can grow in a variety of conditions. They prefer well-draining soil, but can tolerate a wide range of soil types including sandy, loamy and clay. Water newly installed trees regularly to establish a deep root system, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once mature, these trees are considered to be drought-tolerant. Waterings should be increased during extended dry periods of the year to maintain good tree health. Apply mulch to the soil surface around the base of the tree after installing; this will help to maintain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth. Apply a 2-3 inch deep layer, ensuring that it stays a 4-6 inches away from the base of the tree to prevent rot issues.
These trees don't need much in the way of fertilizing, but if one seems to be struggling with a nutrient deficiency, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in springtime to support new growth. Pruning Broussonetia trees is relatively straightforward; simply remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to maintain the tree's appearance and health and prune to shape. The best time to prune these trees is in late winter or early springtime before new growth is pushed out for the year.
Harvesting Broussonetia Trees
Both the leaves and fruits of Paper Mulberry trees are edible, and other plant parts, like bark, wood and roots, are used to fashion rope, make furniture and utensils, and processed into medicines. Harvesting Paper Mulberries for these purposes is mainly done in the plant's native range, though the fruits are sometimes eaten in other parts of the world. Fruits are said to be sweet, with a taste that is reminiscent of Mulberries. They are commonly processed into preserves or baked into cakes. To harvest the fruits, simply pick them from the tree when they are ripe; they should be slightly squishy to the touch and will be 3/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter. The color of ripe berries varies depending on the species grown (and growing conditions, as well) from black, pink, white, or reddish to orangey-pink. The best time of the year to harvest is in summertime.
These trees don't need much in the way of fertilizing, but if one seems to be struggling with a nutrient deficiency, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in springtime to support new growth. Pruning Broussonetia trees is relatively straightforward; simply remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to maintain the tree's appearance and health and prune to shape. The best time to prune these trees is in late winter or early springtime before new growth is pushed out for the year.
Harvesting Broussonetia Trees
Both the leaves and fruits of Paper Mulberry trees are edible, and other plant parts, like bark, wood and roots, are used to fashion rope, make furniture and utensils, and processed into medicines. Harvesting Paper Mulberries for these purposes is mainly done in the plant's native range, though the fruits are sometimes eaten in other parts of the world. Fruits are said to be sweet, with a taste that is reminiscent of Mulberries. They are commonly processed into preserves or baked into cakes. To harvest the fruits, simply pick them from the tree when they are ripe; they should be slightly squishy to the touch and will be 3/4 inch to 1 inch in diameter. The color of ripe berries varies depending on the species grown (and growing conditions, as well) from black, pink, white, or reddish to orangey-pink. The best time of the year to harvest is in summertime.
Propagation
Broussonetia can be propagated in a number of ways: via cutting, seed, or division. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division methods. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Paper Mulberry, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Broussonetia by Cutting
Propagating Broussonetia by Seed
Propagating Broussonetia by Division
Broussonetia trees will produce suckers that form their own root systems in time and can turn into full-size trees or shrubs. These suckers can be dug up and planted elsewhere, as well. This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in springtime. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Broussonetia by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new tree.
Propagating Broussonetia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Broussonetia trees are dioecious, meaning that they produce male and female flowers on separate trees. For a female tree to produce viable seeds, a male pollen contribution needs to be made, meaning there needs to be a male tree close by for seeds to germinate.
- Harvest your seeds. They are located inside the fruits produced by female trees. Fruits will begin to drop from the tree when they are ready, and are reddish when ripe. Collect many fruits; not all seeds will germinate (germination rate is around 50%). Remove seeds from the fruit carefully, either through cutting or by pressing the fruit through a sieve. Rinse seeds to remove all fruit flesh and lay them out to dry. If you will not be sowing your seeds immediately, they should be stored in a dark, dry, cool place. Seeds can typically be stored in this way for 2-3 years.
- When you're ready to plant your seeds, water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 1-3 months from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Broussonetia by Division
Broussonetia trees will produce suckers that form their own root systems in time and can turn into full-size trees or shrubs. These suckers can be dug up and planted elsewhere, as well. This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in springtime. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Check to see if the sucker you'd like to propagate has its own root system. Dig down a few inches at various spots around the base of the sucker and check for roots. If the root system is not formed, make nicks at the base of the main stem that sits under the soil surface. Then, re-place the soil around the base of the plant and check again for roots in 3-4 weeks. Once your sucker has its own root system, it is ready to be removed from its connection to the parent plant.
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. You may have to sever a root physically from the parent plant. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your propagation in its new home.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it grow.
Broussonetia fruits emerge green and will turn various shades of red and pink when ripe.
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Broussonetia seeds.
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Problems and Pests
Please note that in some areas of the United States and abroad, these trees are considered to have the potential to be invasive, choking out native wildlife. Broussonetia spreads via suckers, forming thickets in high-moisture areas and rainy climates and can become a real problem. Ensure that these trees are recommended for your area before planting. Broussonetia trees occasionally suffer from pest and disease issues, including the following:
- Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Caterpillars
- Leaf Spot
- Root Rot
Gallery
Broussonetia plants can grow as large shrubs if lower branches are not trimmed up.
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Use Broussonetia as a shade tree where passers-by can enjoy the canopy from below.
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Broussonetia trees have unique-shaped leaves.
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Male catkins carry small cream colored flowers that produce pollen. These are only produced on male trees.
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Female flowers, once pollinated, will turn into fruit. Female flowers are produced on separate trees than male flowers.
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Paper Mulberry trees produce suckers, which can turn into full-size trees in time or be dug up and planted elsewhere.
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Videos
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Learn about these great drought-tolerant trees.
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Take a look at these beautiful trees.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 204, Broussonetia papyrifera (Paper Mulberry, Wauke)
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