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  3. White Mulberry

White Mulberry

Morus alba

Summary 5

Morus alba, known as white mulberry, is a short-lived, fast-growing, small to medium sized mulberry tree, which grows to 10–20 m tall. The species is native to northern China, and is widely cultivated and naturalized elsewhere. It is known as शहतूत in Hindi,Tuta in Sanskrit, Tuti in Marathi and Toot in Persian and in Armenian.

Ecological threat in the united states 6

White mulberry invades forest edges and disturbed forests and open areas, displacing native species. It is slowly outcompeting and replacing native red mulberry (Morus rubra) through hybridization and possibly through transmission of a harmful root disease.

Impacts and control 7

More info for the terms: fire management, invasive species, natural, prescribed fire

Impacts:
Native vegetation: There is widespread concern over white mulberry's hybridization with the native red mulberry ([18,153,171,174], review by [30]). In Ontario, resulting hybrids were more similar to white mulberry parents, suggesting the potential for a local extinction of red mulberry [18]. In 1963, white mulberry was more common than red mulberry in southeastern Kansas [55]. There is also some concern in the mid-Atlantic region that white mulberry may transmit a harmful root disease to red mulberry [153].

Though it generally grows at relatively low densities, white mulberry has the potential to exclude native vegetation (review by [51]), particularly where it grows in dense thickets. However, as of this writing (2009) there was little published information documenting this impact. On a dredge spoil island in South Carolina, 95% of a 22.5 acre (9.1 ha) area was covered by a closed-canopy, even-aged stand of white mulberry. No understory was present [120]. White mulberry also established in thickets in limestone areas in north-central Texas [32], though no impact on native vegetation was reported. White mulberry infestation.

White mulberry may have allelopathic properties; in laboratory experiments, white mulberry leaf leachate inhibited the germination of India mustard (Brassica juncea) [2].

Other impacts: Spreading white mulberry roots damaged pavement and curbs in San Francisco (review by [33]).

Control: In all cases where invasive species are targeted for control, no matter what method is employed, the potential for other invasive species to fill their void must be considered [14]. Control of biotic invasions is most effective when it employs a long-term, ecosystem-wide strategy rather than a tactical approach focused on battling individual invaders [95].

As of this writing (2009), very little information was available regarding control of white mulberry. The potential of white mulberry to sprout from the stump [150], roots (reviews by [21,136]), or from cut stems buried in the soil (review by [30]) may complicate control efforts. Information presented in the following sections may not be comprehensive and is not intended to be prescriptive in nature. It is intended to help managers understand the ecology and control of white mulberry in the context of fire management. For more detailed information on control of white mulberry, consult the references cited here or local extension services.

Fire: For information on the use of prescribed fire to control this species, see Fire Management Considerations.

Prevention: Because white mulberry is often planted as an ornamental, one way to prevent future white mulberry establishment is to avoid planting it. In the mid-Atlantic region, native alternatives to white mulberry include red maple, hackberry, black tupelo, or sassafras [153].

It is commonly argued that the most cost-efficient and effective method of managing invasive species is to prevent their establishment and spread by maintaining "healthy" natural communities 95,135 and by monitoring several times each year [74]. Managing to maintain the integrity of the native plant community and mitigate the factors enhancing ecosystem invasibility is likely to be more effective than managing solely to control the invader [67].

Weed prevention and control can be incorporated into many types of management plans, including those for logging and site preparation, grazing allotments, recreation management, research projects, road building and maintenance, and fire management [162]. See the Guide to noxious weed prevention practices [162] for specific guidelines in preventing the spread of weed seeds and propagules under different management conditions.

Cultural control: No information is available on this topic (2009).

Physical or mechanical control: White mulberry seedlings may be controlled by pulling. For larger white mulberry plants, stems may be cut and the stump ground [153]. Girdling is also an option for larger trees ([153], review by [30]). Mechanical control may be limited by the potential of white mulberry to sprout from the stump [150], roots (reviews by [21,136]), or from cut stems buried in the soil (review by [30]). One review suggests that roots will continue to produce sprouts even if the plant is cut back every year [21].

Biological control: Biological control of invasive species has a long history that indicates many factors must be considered before using biological controls. Refer to these sources: [165,176] and the Weed control methods handbook [159] for background information and important considerations for developing and implementing biological control programs.

As of this writing (2009) there were no biological control programs identified for the control of white mulberry. White mulberry is susceptible to several diseases in North America (review by [137]). In the southern United States, white mulberry may be susceptible to popcorn disease caused by the fungus Ciboria carunculoides [59].

Goat browsing was used to suppress white mulberry in prairie remnants in northwest Illinois [8].

Chemical control: Herbicides are effective in gaining initial control of a new invasion or a severe infestation, but they are rarely a complete or long-term solution to weed management [19]. See the Weed control methods handbook [159] for considerations on the use of herbicides in natural areas and detailed information on specific chemicals.

No detailed information was found describing the use of herbicides to control white mulberry (as of 2009), though 1 review states that herbicides may effectively control white mulberry [30]. One handbook on invasive species in the mid-Atlantic region suggests controlling white mulberry by cutting stems and painting the stump with glyphosate [153].

Integrated management: No information is available on this topic (2009).

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) John Hilty, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/photos/wh_mulberry1.jpg
  2. (c) Salomé, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/79667341@N00/344635953
  3. (c) eml930, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
  4. (c) Sunnetchan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Sunnetchan
  5. Adapted by Kate Wagner from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morus_alba
  6. (c) Unknown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/22733964
  7. Public Domain, http://eol.org/data_objects/24637338

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