White mulberry is a popular tree that grows in numerous gardens and parks. It gives shade, creates beautiful leafy hedges, blooms and delicately smells. The properties of the tree, which is white mulberry, make the leaves used in the adjunctive therapy of diabetes. When choosing new plants for the garden, it is worth getting acquainted with the white mulberry.
Contents:
- White mulberry - description and position
- White mulberry - care
- When to plant white mulberry?
- When does white mulberry bear fruit?
- What to make of white mulberry fruit?
White mulberry - description and position
White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a small tree from the mulberry family. It is the only mulberry species found in Poland. It comes from China, although it appeared in other parts of the world a long time ago - it has been cultivated in Europe since the 9th century. In addition to white mulberry, there are two similar species - red mulberry and black mulberry. They do not exist in Poland.
White mulberry tree grows to a height offrom 10 to about 15 metersIt is a monoecious plant, which means that male and female flowers appear on one tree. Mulberry flowers are inconspicuous, with a yellowish tinge, they give off a light and pleasant fragrance. The sizable leaves are ovoid in shape, although they are irregular and often dissimilar. White mulberry fruit, in turn, are achenes, surrounded by non-bursting seeds, covered withparchments containing a lot of sweet juice White mulberry fruits come in different colors, from white, through pink to brown and purple-black, which is why this tree is sometimes confused with related species.
In China, white mulberry plays an important role in the economy - its leavesfeed on mulberry silkworm larvae , from which silk is obtained. On the other hand, in Polish gardens, parks and cities, it is planted as an ornamental and shading plant. White mulberry leaves also have valuable he alth properties, and the fruit has a taste. For a tree as popular as mulberry, seedlings can be purchased at almost any major garden store. For the plant to thrive, prepare asunny and sheltered position and a light, loamy, neutral soil . It is characterized by numerous root suckers that can be trimmed or used to create a dense, leafy hedge. Growers plant their orchards with mulberry trees so that the juicy fruit attracts birds. Thanks to this, at least part of the damage can be avoided, especially in cherry orchards.
White mulberry - care
White mulberry is a tree that is easy to grow. It is enough to provide her with a good position. As it grows, it will produce many root suckers that can be successfully and safely trimmed. Cut small shoots in spring and summer, thicker shoots no later than the end of August. In order to buy a good seedling, it is worthgo to a proven store offering fruit treesBuying a seedling from an unproven source does not involve such a high risk, when white mulberry is only to be an ornamental or shade plant. However, if it is intended to supply fruit for jams and drying, or as herbal material in the form of leaves, it is worth looking for a reliable and good source of seedlings.
During larger cold weather, the tree freezes because it comes from parts of the world warmer than Poland. It is worthto protect them from frosts , especially when they are still young and small. However, the risk of freezing does not apply to the whole of Poland - it occurs mainly in the region of Białystok and Suwałki, i.e. where the lowest temperatures in winter prevail.
When to plant white mulberry?
White mulberry is best taken after the cold season. Planting white mulberry should be done in the spring. In order for the trees to take root quickly in the new soil, they should be planted10 - 15 cm deeper than they grew in the nurseryAccess to light and average garden soil are in most cases sufficient conditions for the tree to develop perfect.
When does white mulberry bear fruit?
White mulberry blooms in May and fruits appear in summer,most often in July or late June / July . They are small and clustered in oblong clusters. They are ripe and edible as their arils become soft and sweet.
What to make of white mulberry fruit?
White speech is a plant whose fruits are suitable for consumption. Their taste is sweet but uncharacteristic. Many people describe it as bland. Their sweet taste and high content of sucrose and fructose, however, make the white mulberry fruit produced by the tree perfectly suitable for making preserves without the addition of sugar.The following is prepared from mulberry fruit:
- compotes,
- syrups,
- juices,
- jams.
There are many proven recipes for mulberry fruit preserves. Many of themare suitable for diabeticsdue to the lack of added sugar. In addition to its taste, mulberry fruit is also believed to have antitussive and immune-boosting properties. Sugar-free syrup contains a lot of iron.
It is also worth paying attention to the white mulberry leaves, which are the main herbal material. Scientific research shows thatdried leaves infusion of this plant helps to lower blood sugar levelsand also contains antioxidants (flavonoids, ascorbic acid). The infusion of white mulberry leaves is used as an aid in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and in slimming diets.
