Sweet, juicy mulberries—such a treasure, but so often scorned.  While the majestic Morus alba may not be suitable for city sidewalks, these trees are totally worth a trot into the country to find.  A mature tree, which can reach 50ft tall, will be heavily laden with mild tasting blackberry-like fruit during summer.

As a horticulture student at UW-Madison, I knew where to find heavily bearing specimens around town—at the arboretum, near the zoo, on the back 9 of the 100 acre golf course where I worked.  In fact, I frequently spent a lunch in the shade of the mulberry instead of retiring to the air-conditioned break room.  The break room didn’t offer free dessert!  Any given day I knew the fruit were ripe, I would bike miles out of my way to gorge on this fleeting delicacy.  It has always been a shock to me how few people were aware of this treat, and that so many harbored such contempt against the entire species just because of an encounter with one ill-placed tree over a drive way raining dark-staining berries.

                As an acupuncture student, I was tickled to discover that for millennia the Chinese have shared my opinion of this tree as a treasure.  In fact, nearly every part of the tree is used in traditional Chinese medicine.  The fruit is used to build blood, quench thirst, moisten the intestines and prevent premature graying.  The leaf treats fever, cough and red eyes.  The root reduces edema and cough, while twigs reduce edema and treat arm pain.  Furthermore, tree is the platform for other treasures.  Mantis egg cases collected from mulberry trees can treat urinary disorders.  The leaves are famous as silkworm food, as the rubbery, milky sap is thought to give tenacity to silk filaments.  Modern research indicates mulberry extracts may decrease blood sugar and inhibit tumor growth.

Unwashed mulberries will keep several days in a refrigerator in a covered container.  They can be eaten out of hand or used in any way that other berries are used, such as in pies, tarts, puddings or sweetened and pureed as a sauce.  Mulberries blend well with other fruits, especially pears and apples. They can also be made into wine and make an excellent dried fruit.

While the fruits make a great treat, be sure you have identified the tree correctly before eating and avoid unripe mulberry fruit as it can be mildly toxic.  If you think Mulberry may be the right medicine for you, please seek guidance in preparation and use at New Leaf Acupuncture in Fish Creek.  Finally, be a good neighbor!  Always get permission before exploring or removing anything from private property.