Overview

Introduce a bountiful and beautiful fruiting tree to your landscape with the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree. Renowned for its exceptional fruit production, this particular variety of mulberry live plant (Morus rubra ‘Illinois Everbearing’) offers a steady supply of sweet, juicy, black mulberries from late spring through late summer. Unlike many other fruit trees that have a short harvest window, the ‘Illinois Everbearing’ lives up to its name, providing a continuous crop that can be enjoyed fresh, in pies, jams, or dried. This resilient tree is an excellent addition for both seasoned gardeners and beginners looking for an easy-to-grow, productive fruit source. Starting as a robust seedling, this everbearing fruit tree promises years of delicious returns.

Key Benefits

The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree offers a multitude of advantages for the home gardener, making it a highly desirable plant for any fruit-loving enthusiast. Its ease of care and abundant harvest are just a few reasons why this mulberry live plant is a fantastic choice.

• Extended Harvest Season: Enjoy a continuous supply of ripe mulberries from late spring to late summer, unlike other varieties with shorter fruiting periods. This means prolonged enjoyment of fresh fruit directly from your garden.
• Delicious, Sweet Fruit: The ‘Illinois Everbearing’ produces large, flavorful black mulberries that are exceptionally sweet. They are perfect for fresh eating, baking, making preserves, or even drying for a healthy snack.
• Hardy and Resilient: This tree is known for its robust nature and adaptability, thriving in a wide range of climates and soil conditions. It’s a reliable choice that stands up well to various environmental stresses.
• Attracts Wildlife: The abundant fruit will attract beneficial birds and other wildlife to your garden, adding to the natural biodiversity and charm of your outdoor space.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree requires minimal care, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who prefer less demanding fruit trees. Regular watering and occasional pruning are typically sufficient.
• Versatile Use: Beyond its fruit, the tree provides attractive foliage and can serve as a shade tree, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your yard or orchard.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is relatively straightforward, ensuring a healthy plant and a plentiful harvest. This mulberry live plant is quite adaptable, but providing optimal conditions will maximize its growth and fruit production. It prefers a location with full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, to produce the sweetest and most abundant fruit. While it can tolerate some partial shade, fruit yield may be reduced.

When it comes to watering, young trees need consistent moisture to establish a strong root system. Water deeply once or twice a week, especially during dry spells. Established trees are more drought-tolerant but will benefit from supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods to ensure good fruit development. The ideal soil for this everbearing fruit tree is well-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral pH. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, as these can lead to root rot. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can improve drainage. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer, following package directions. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain a strong structure and open canopy for better air circulation and sunlight penetration.

Size & Details

This Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is shipped as a rooted seedling, typically measuring between 12-16 inches tall. It is delivered in a shipping pot, providing a healthy start for easy transplanting into your garden or a larger container. These vigorous young plants are ready to establish quickly and begin their journey towards becoming a productive fruit tree. While the initial growth stage is a seedling, this variety is known for its relatively fast growth rate once established, quickly developing into a medium-sized tree. Expect the tree to begin producing fruit within a few years of planting, with increasing yields as it matures. The mature height of an Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree can range from 20-30 feet, with a similar spread, making it a significant feature in your landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree typically grows to a mature height of 20-30 feet with a similar spread. Its size can be managed with regular pruning to fit smaller spaces, making it a versatile mulberry live plant.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The tree is shipped as a rooted seedling in a shipping pot, usually around 12-16 inches tall, ready for transplanting into your garden or a larger container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is an outdoor fruit tree. It requires ample sunlight and space to grow to its full potential and produce fruit.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This tree thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is considered an easy-to-care-for fruit tree, especially once established. It’s quite hardy and adaptable, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your mulberry live plant will arrive as a healthy, rooted seedling in a shipping pot, ready for planting. We take great care in packaging to ensure its safe arrival.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: You can typically expect your everbearing fruit tree to begin producing fruit within 2-3 years of planting, with yields increasing significantly as the tree matures.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is in the spring after the last frost, or in early fall in warmer climates, allowing it time to establish before extreme temperatures.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This variety is cold hardy and thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9, tolerating winter temperatures down to -20°F.
• Q: What’s the recommended soil type for a mulberry tree? A: A well-draining loam or sandy loam soil with a neutral pH is ideal for the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree. Good drainage is crucial for root health.