Paper Mulberry

This was my “stump the agent” question last Wednesday. I was sent some photos of a tree/shrub that the individual had found while out for a drive to identify because it was different. After stumping several colleagues, we finally came up with the answer, a Paper Mulberry or Broussonetia papyrifera. This tree is native to Asia and was introduced as a fast-growing shade tree in the United States. In its native lands this tree is used to make paper while in parts of the South Pacific its bark was used to make bark cloth. In the United States you can find this tree occasionally from Massachusetts west to Illinois and south to Texas. Paper mulberry is a large shrub or small tree that can reach heights of approximately 30 feet. It’s leaves resemble the native mulberry however the are lightly hairy and pale underneath. The leaves can be arranged alternately, opposite or whorled around the stem. This plant is tolerant of drought and poor soils however it can be invasive and due to its fast growth as weak stems so I do not recommend planting it in our area.

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu