Morus trilobata 'TESI UBALDO' three-lobed mulberry
size/type
small tree,small tree
usual height
3-4m
usual width
2-4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
location
full sun
USDA zone (lowest)
5b (down to -27°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Three-lobed mulberry is a rare plant possibly from China where it was first described by Chinese botanist Siu Shih Chang. It seems to be non-existent in European horticulture where its place took a much more vigorous and larger-leaved clone, possibly a hybrid of m.alba and m.trilobata called Platanifolia - sometimes filed as a variety, sometimes as a separate species or hybrid which would probably be more accurate.
Description of the plant:
Deciduous leaves of the Chinese species have three narrow lobes out of which the central one is prominently long. Margins are entire and smooth so the leaf looks like 3 fingers. Unlike Tesi Ubaldo variety. This mulberry is very different. Its leaves are also 3-lobed but the margins are more or less incised with inward, rounded, and very decorative lobes. They are fresh green, quite glossy, and in autumn turn shining yellow in a shade similar to maidenhair autumn foliage. The tree grows slowly unless it is pollarded or annually cut back in the same manner that plane-leaved mulberries are pruned: cut back previous year's branches leaving only 5-10 cm with 3-5 buds in early spring. New twigs will shoot out and make a handsome, umbrella-shaped canopy in no time. The tree is quite small and looks romantic when the canopy matures so it deserves a nice spot in your garden. Perfect for zen gardens.
Three-lobed mulberry prefers a location sheltered from drying winter winds. It grows in almost any well-drained soil but will thrive in deep, fertile soil, making longer branches and bigger leaves. Fertilizing in spring and summer is beneficial. Fully hardy to -24°C and withstands occasional swings to -27°C (USDA zone 5b).
Last update 15-02-2018
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