Mulberry is one of the most loved trees by gardeners and homeowners owing to its lush green foliage and delicious berries. It is also loved because it is considered a symbol of healing and abundance. Mulberry trees have the historical significance of being used as a landscaping tree, which attracted birds and wildlife due to their large leaf canopies and berries. Despite immense positive features, mulberry trees are banned or considered illegal in some parts of America. Mulberries are of different varieties, but the most common ones are “red mulberry” and “white mulberry. Some native varieties are not harmful, so the primary factor is to identify them. In this blog, we discuss different aspects of “Why are mulberry trees illegal”?
History of Mulberry Tree Bans
There were health and environmental concerns that led to the ban on white mulberry trees and not the red and native varieties. Some doctors opined that mulberry trees are allergenic. Hence, it should be banned.
Reasons Behind the Ban on Mulberry Trees
Despite their multiple benefits, mulberry is banned because of several reasons. Here are the reasons:
Environmental Reasons
White mulberry trees are adaptive and spread fast, which classifies them as invasive trees. White mulberry trees dominate over native vegetation, leading to an imbalance in the local ecosystem. There’s also a risk of hybridization to the native species, and birds are the culprit. Birds get attracted to the delicious fruit of mulberry trees and spread the seeds on other trees, including the red mulberry. As a result, the genetic integrity of the native species gets diluted.
Health Concerns
White mulberry trees are banned in some cities in the US because it is believed that male cultivars of white mulberry trees produce pollen, which causes allergic reactions in many individuals. The sap of white mulberry trees can also cause irritation to the skin, and if ingested, it can be harmful. Additionally, if unripe fruits of the tree are consumed, it can pose serious health concerns.
Aesthetic Challenges
There are certain aesthetic limitations of these trees. The major concern is that when mulberry fruits fall on the ground, they leave behind noticeable stains. The juice from the fallen mulberry fruits also causes discoloration along the sidewalks and streets, which affects the visual appeal. The worst happens when someone steps on the fruit, leaving behind messy ground and stains on clothes and footwear.
Threat to Infrastructure
The aggressive growth behavior of mulberry trees causes potential threats to the foundation of the building, walkways, and lifting sidewalks. Another issue is that the sprawling root system of mulberry trees may damage the underground pipework in search of water sources.
Regulations
There are specific regulations in some cities in the US regarding the planting and selling of mulberry trees. This is due to environmental factors, health concerns, and other reasons. In some parts of the cities, an assessment of the environmental impact is made to check the effect on flora and fauna. This is done before planting the mulberry trees in areas with sensitive ecosystems.
Are All Mulberries Invasive?
No, all mulberries are not invasive. White mulberries are native to China and were brought to the US to establish the silk industry. Hence, white mulberries are invasive to the US. Whereas red mulberries are less aggressive compared to white mulberries and are native across the US.
Hence, it’s vital to understand the species. White and red mulberry have distinct features. Red mulberries, when fully grown, reach 60-80 feet tall and 50 feet wide, and their oval-shaped leaves have three-cornered tips and thrive in moist soil. Whereas white mulberry has lobed or unlobed glossy green leaves and three veins pointing from the base.
Easy Identification of White Mulberry Trees
As white mulberry is invasive, it’s essential to identify them so as to avoid growing them. Here is the list of easy identification:
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Leaves are jagged on the edges with curved lobes.
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The color of the roots of the seedlings is orange-yellow.
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Mature trees have orange to pale tanbark.
Benefits of Mulberries
Though some species of mulberries are considered illegal in some parts of the US, there are benefits of mulberries which are discussed here. Mulberry fruits have higher nutritional value and have antioxidants and vitamins, which makes them healthy edible fruits. Mulberry tastes like blackberries, which makes it enjoyable for many.
The best feature of mulberry is that the fruiting cultivars are female. They don’t produce pollen and hence don’t cause allergies and other health hazards. Another benefit is the enhanced visual appeal of the yard or park, wherever it is grown. It also supports the local biodiversity by attracting birds, insects, and wildlife. Insects feed on leaves, and birds on fruits. Birds also help in propagation by sprawling seeds on other neighboring mulberry trees.
Conclusion
Not all mulberry trees are invasive, so gather information regarding the illegality of the species of mulberry trees and also figure out the reason for their ban. Based on all the information, plant the right mulberry trees to avoid any legal complications.
