Mulberry

Morus spp.

Family: Moraceae

Location:

grow wild in North America and Asia
able to survive in climates with long hot summers

Characteristics:

can grow very tall, but develop a wide, stout trunk and a thick head of branches when grown in the open
long-lived and very hardy
sap of twigs and leafstalks is milky

Leaves:

single-toothed
either lobed or not; often both are present
unlobed leaves are generally heart-shaped with 3-5 main veins meeting near end of leafstalk

Flower and Fruit:

produce clusters of male and female flowers in spring and early summer
male and female flowers are sometimes produced on separate trees
female flowers are followed by ½ - 1 inch edible berries

Uses:

You can shred the inner bark of the tree and use it to make twine or cord. A straight, strong piece of wood from this tree can produce an efficient bow for archery, hunting, or a bow drill, used to ignite a pile of dried tinder.