5 Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree Starter Plant – Cold Hardy Fruit

Overview

Welcome the bounty of fresh fruit into your garden with the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree. This exceptional hybrid is renowned for its vigorous growth and impressive fruit-bearing capabilities, offering a continuous harvest of delicious mulberries throughout the summer months. As a mulberry tree starter plant, it provides an accessible way for gardeners of all experience levels to establish a productive fruit tree. The Illinois Everbearing variety is particularly valued for its adaptability and resilience, thriving in various conditions and proving to be a truly cold hardy fruit tree. Its ability to produce abundant, sweet, 1-inch long fruits makes it a highly desirable addition to any landscape, providing both aesthetic appeal and a generous supply of edible treats.

Originating from a cross between Morus rubra and Morus alba, the Illinois Everbearing has earned its reputation as a reliable and high-yielding mulberry. Unlike many other fruit trees, it produces fruit over an extended period, ensuring a steady supply from early summer well into fall. This makes it an ideal choice for home gardeners looking for a consistent and easy-to-grow source of fresh berries. Its robust nature and delicious yield contribute to its popularity among fruit tree enthusiasts.

Key Benefits

The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree offers a multitude of benefits, making it a standout choice for any garden. From its ease of care to its abundant harvest, this tree is designed to delight:

• Continuous Fruit Production: Enjoy a steady supply of sweet, dark mulberries from early summer through fall, ensuring a prolonged harvest season. This prolific mulberry tree provides ample fruit for fresh eating, jams, pies, and more.
• Exceptional Cold Hardiness: This variety is remarkably resilient, tolerating temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C), making it a reliable choice for gardeners in USDA Zones 4-9. It’s a truly cold hardy fruit tree that can withstand harsh winters.
• Fast Growing & Vigorous: Establish a mature fruit-producing tree quickly, as the Illinois Everbearing exhibits rapid growth, reaching significant size within a few years.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this mulberry tree requires minimal care, making it perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners. Its adaptability reduces the need for constant attention.
• Delicious & Versatile Fruit: The 1-inch long, sweet, and juicy mulberries are perfect for fresh consumption, baking, preserves, or even feeding local wildlife.
• Attracts Wildlife: The abundant fruit serves as a natural food source for birds and other beneficial wildlife, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem in your garden.
• Shade & Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the mature tree provides excellent shade and adds an attractive, natural element to your landscape.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is relatively straightforward, ensuring a healthy and productive plant for years to come. This variety is known for its resilience and adaptability, but providing optimal conditions will maximize its growth and fruit yield. When planting your mulberry tree starter plant, choose a location that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight per day, ideally full sun for the best fruit production. Ensure the soil is well-draining, as mulberries do not tolerate standing water. While adaptable to various soil types, they prefer average, moist soils with good drainage.

Watering should be consistent, especially during dry spells and in the tree’s early years. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, the tree is somewhat drought-tolerant but will benefit from supplemental watering during extended dry periods. For fertilization, a balanced all-purpose fertilizer can be applied in early spring before new growth begins, following the product’s instructions. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and shape the tree to encourage good air circulation and fruit accessibility. Understanding illinois mulberry care is key to a thriving plant.

This cold hardy fruit tree is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. It can withstand winter temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C). While generally robust, keep an eye out for common pests or diseases, though mulberries are typically quite resistant. Good cultural practices, such as proper watering and air circulation, will help prevent most issues. With proper care, your Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree will provide many years of delicious fruit.

Size & Details

This offering includes 5 Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree starter plants, ready for transplanting into your garden. These young trees are shipped bare root, ensuring minimal shock during transit and allowing for easy establishment upon arrival. Mature trees can reach an impressive height of 12-25 feet and spread 10-25 feet wide, forming a substantial and productive canopy. The fruit produced is typically 1-inch long, sweet, and dark-colored, ripening continuously throughout the summer.

The rapid growth rate of this prolific mulberry tree means you won’t wait long to enjoy your first harvest. While shipping bare root, these plants are robust and designed to quickly establish themselves when planted correctly. Expect to see significant growth in the first few seasons, with fruit production often beginning within 2-3 years of planting. The ultimate size and spread will depend on growing conditions, available space, and pruning practices, but expect a vigorous and rewarding plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree get? A: The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is a fast-growing variety that can reach a mature height of 12-25 feet and spread 10-25 feet wide, providing ample shade and fruit production. Its size can be managed with proper pruning.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This is an outdoor fruit tree. The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree thrives outdoors in full sun and is well-suited for gardens and landscapes within its recommended hardiness zones.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal growth and fruit production, your mulberry tree starter plant needs at least four hours of direct sunlight per day. Full sun exposure is ideal to ensure a bountiful harvest.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is considered relatively easy to care for. It’s a resilient and adaptable plant, making it a good choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Consistent watering and occasional pruning are its main requirements.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your mulberry tree starter plant will arrive bare root. This means it will be shipped without soil or a pot, which is a common and effective method for shipping deciduous trees to ensure healthy establishment.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this mulberry tree? A: The best time to plant your bare root Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree is typically in early spring, after the last frost, or in late fall after the leaves have dropped.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This is a very cold hardy fruit tree, known to survive winter temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C). It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
• Q: What kind of soil does this tree prefer? A: The Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree prefers average, moist soils with good drainage. While adaptable, ensuring well-draining soil is crucial for its health and preventing root issues.
• Q: How long until it starts producing fruit? A: You can typically expect your Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree to start producing fruit within 2-3 years after planting, with increasing yields as the tree matures.
• Q: Are the fruits from this tree edible? A: Yes, the fruits of the Illinois Everbearing Mulberry Tree are delicious and fully edible. They are sweet, juicy, and perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, and preserves.