🍇 Tice Mulberry Tree — Florida’s Legendary Heirloom Fruit Producer 🌿

Morus spp. (likely Morus alba × Morus rubra hybrid)

Few fruit trees grow as fast, produce as heavily, and thrive as effortlessly in Florida’s climate as the Tice Mulberry.

This long-standing South Florida heirloom tree has earned a loyal following among homesteaders, food-forest designers, and backyard growers for one simple reason:

It works.

With a lush tropical canopy, generous harvests of sweet-tangy berries, and a growth rate that can feel almost unbelievable, the Tice Mulberry can transform a yard into a productive fruit tree and shade canopy in just a few seasons.

It thrives in heat, tolerates sandy soils, and responds beautifully to pruning — meaning you can grow it as:

• a compact harvest tree
• a backyard orchard specimen
• a fast-growing shade canopy
• a productive food-forest anchor species

And when fruit season arrives?

Expect branches dripping with berries that taste like blackberry jam mixed with wild woodland berries.

This is the classic Florida mulberry growers have relied on for generations.

🌿 Quick Facts Guide

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Morus spp. (likely Morus alba × Morus rubra)
Common Name	Tice Mulberry
Plant Type	Deciduous fruit tree
Size at Sale	4-inch container
Estimated Age	~3–6 months
Mature Height	20–30 ft unpruned
Managed Height	8–12 ft with pruning
Mature Width	20–25 ft
USDA Zones	7–10
Best Zones	8–10
Sun Requirements	Full sun (6–8+ hrs)
Cold Hardiness	~10–15°F once established
Growth Habit	Fast-growing spreading canopy
Pollination	Self-fruitful
Spacing	20 ft+ natural, 8–12 ft managed
Wind Tolerance	Good
Salt Tolerance	Moderate inland tolerance

🍇 Fruit Characteristics & Harvest

Tice mulberry produces generous crops of medium-large berries with a rich balance of sweetness and acidity.

Fruit Details

Trait	Description
Color	Deep red → dark purple / black
Flavor	Sweet with bright tang
Texture	Soft, juicy, blackberry-like
Fruit Size	~1.25–1.5 inches
Seeds	Tiny edible seeds

Harvest Season

Florida (Zone 9)

Late March – May

Warm Southern Regions

Late spring → early summer

Cooler Regions (Zone 7–8)

May – June

Secondary Crops

Mulberries fruit on new growth, which means pruning can stimulate additional crops.

After the main harvest growers sometimes perform a hard pruning that stimulates:

• a second crop
• occasionally a third crop during long warm seasons

This technique is often called stress pruning.

🌳 The Story of the Tice Mulberry

The Tice Mulberry is believed to have originated in South Florida during the mid-20th century, where growers noticed a tree that dramatically outperformed most mulberries in the region.

Gardeners observed several standout traits:

• extremely rapid growth
• heavy fruit production
• strong tolerance of Florida heat
• adaptability to sandy soils

Although the exact lineage is debated, horticultural experts generally believe it is a hybrid between:

• Morus alba (Asian mulberry)
• Morus rubra (native American mulberry)

This combination likely explains its vigorous growth and excellent fruit quality.

Today it remains one of the most widely planted mulberries in Florida food forests and backyard orchards.

🌸 Why Grow Tice Mulberry?

1️⃣ Fast Shade Tree

Few fruit trees grow faster.

Within a few seasons a Tice mulberry can provide:

• summer shade
• wildlife habitat
• heavy fruit production

2️⃣ Heavy Fruit Production

A mature tree can produce many pounds of berries each season.

3️⃣ Excellent for Pruning

Mulberries respond extremely well to pruning.

Growers commonly maintain trees at:

8–10 ft tall

for easy harvesting.

4️⃣ Thrives in Florida Climate

Excellent performance in:

• Florida
• Gulf Coast climates
• humid southern environments

5️⃣ Supports Wildlife

Mulberries help support:

🐝 pollinators

🐦 birds

🐞 beneficial insects

Culinary Uses

Mulberries are among the most versatile backyard fruits.

Fresh Eating

Eat berries directly from the tree when fully ripe.

Baking

Mulberries are excellent in:

• pies
• muffins
• cobblers
• tarts

Preserves

Traditional uses include:

• mulberry jam
• mulberry syrup
• preserves

Beverages

Mulberries are also used for:

• wine
• kombucha flavoring
• smoothies

Drying

Dried mulberries become naturally sweet snacks similar to raisins.

Nutritional Profile

Mulberries contain beneficial compounds including:

• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Potassium
• Fiber
• Anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants)

Traditional herbal systems have also used mulberries to support:

• blood health
• digestion
• immune function

🍂 Seasonal Behavior (Important for Garden Planning)

The Tice Mulberry is a deciduous tree, meaning it naturally sheds its leaves each year.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

🍂 Leaves yellow and drop

🌳 Tree enters dormancy

🌿 Branches may appear bare

Early Spring (Late Feb–March in Central Florida)

🌱 Bud swelling begins

🌿 Fresh leaf flush appears

🌸 Flowering soon follows

Spring Fruit Season

🍇 Fruit begins forming shortly after leaf emergence

Summer

🌿 Vigorous vegetative growth

✂️ Optional pruning may trigger additional fruiting

Fall

🍂 Leaves may yellow and spot before dropping

This seasonal cycle is normal and healthy for mulberries.

🪴 Container Growing

Mulberries can be grown in containers when kept pruned.

Container Size Progression

Stage	Container
Starter plant	4″
Early growth	1 gallon
Small tree	3 gallon
Patio tree	7–15 gallon

Larger containers allow the plant to support fruit production and canopy development.

🔁 Container Upsizing Guide

Your 4-inch Tice Mulberry is an early-stage plant that will require progressively larger containers as the root system develops.

Gradual upsizing helps:

• strengthen root systems
• accelerate growth
• prevent root binding
• avoid waterlogged soil

Typical Pot Progression

4″ → 1 gallon → 3 gallon → 7 gallon → 15 gallon

Signs It’s Time to Up-Pot

🌱 roots circling the container

🌱 soil drying very quickly

🌱 slowed growth despite good sunlight

How to Transplant

1️⃣ Choose a container 2–3× larger than the current pot.

Examples:

4″ → 1 gallon

1 gallon → 3 gallon

3 gallon → 7 gallon

2️⃣ Add soil to the bottom of the new container.

3️⃣ Remove the plant carefully.

4️⃣ Place the root ball so the soil line stays the same height.

5️⃣ Backfill soil and gently firm.

6️⃣ Water deeply.

🌱 Ideal Potting Soil Mix

Mulberries prefer soil that retains moisture but drains well.

Recommended container mix:

Ingredient	Percentage
Potting soil	40%
Compost	25–30%
Pine bark fines	15–20%
Perlite or pumice	10–15%

Optional additions:

• worm castings
• biochar
• trace minerals

This balance provides aeration, moisture retention, and nutrients.

Where to Find Containers & Soil

Local Sources

• garden centers
• farm & feed stores
• landscape supply yards
• hardware stores
• independent nurseries

Online Retailers

• Bootstrap Farmer
• Gardener’s Supply
• Greenhouse Megastore
• Amazon

🌱 Best Practices for Planting Tice Mulberry

Step 1 — Allow Recovery

After shipping or transport:

Wait about 30 days before transplanting, or until new growth appears.

Step 2 — Dig Proper Hole

Hole should be:

• same depth as the container
• slightly wider

Step 3 — Plant High & Tight

GreenDreams planting method:

• plant slightly above grade
• firm soil around root ball

Step 4 — Soil Building

Top dress with:

• compost
• biochar
• azomite minerals

Step 5 — Mulching

Apply 2–3 inches hardwood mulch.

Keep mulch away from the trunk.

GreenDreams planting video:

https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8

💧 Watering Guide

Container Plants

Water daily in warm weather.

Newly Planted Trees

Weeks 1–2

Light watering daily

Weeks 3–6

Water 2–3× weekly

Established Trees

Water during extended drought.

Drip irrigation is preferred.

✂️ Pruning for Maximum Fruit

Mulberries fruit on new growth.

Best strategy:

1️⃣ Harvest spring crop

2️⃣ Hard prune branches

3️⃣ Encourage new shoots

This keeps trees:

• compact
• productive
• easy to harvest

🌿 Companion Plants (Food Forest Guild)

Plants commonly paired with mulberries:

Nitrogen Fixers

• Pigeon Pea
• Sunn Hemp

Biomass Plants

• Mexican Sunflower
• Fakahatchee Grass

Pollinator Plants

• native wildflowers
• flowering herbs

These species help support:

• soil health
• biodiversity
• natural fertility

🔍 Troubleshooting Guide

⚠️ Issue	🧠 Cause	🌿 Solution
🍂 Yellow leaves	seasonal dormancy	normal cycle
🍃 Leaf spotting	humid rainy weather	remove affected leaves
🍃 Sudden leaf drop	shipping stress	shade + steady moisture
🐛 Chewed leaves	caterpillars	neem or BT spray
💦 Root stress	overwatering	improve drainage
🌬️ Wind scorch	exposure	temporary wind protection

🌸 Mulberry Variety Comparison Guide — GreenDreams Collection

Cultivar	Berry Size	Flavor Profile	Fruiting Pattern	Cold Tolerance	Best For
Everbearing Mulberry	Small–Medium	Sweet with mild tart finish (blueberry + raspberry notes)	Multiple fruit waves during warm season	~10–15°F	Backyard orchards
Tice Mulberry	Medium	Classic sweet mulberry flavor	Heavy spring crop with occasional additional fruiting	~10–15°F	Shade trees
World’s Best Mulberry	Large	Extremely sweet dessert flavor	Heavy early-season crop	~15°F	Fresh eating
Pakistan Mulberry	Very large (3–4 in)	Sweet with mild berry acidity	Early spring harvest	~25°F	Specialty fruit collectors
Shangri-La Mulberry	Medium–Large	Very sweet complex berry flavor	Large spring crop	~15°F	Large yards
6th Street Mulberry	Medium–Large	Rich sweet mulberry flavor	Reliable spring crop	~15°F	Backyard orchards
Thai Dwarf Mulberry	Small–Medium	Sweet with mild acidity	Frequent fruiting when pruned	~20°F	Containers
Hunter Mulberry	Medium–Large	Sweet classic mulberry flavor	Strong spring crop	~15°F	Home orchards
White Mulberry	Small–Medium	Honey sweet	Spring harvest	~10–15°F	Wildlife gardens
Corkscrew / Unryu Mulberry	Small	Mild sweet	Light spring fruiting	~10–15°F	Ornamental landscapes

❓ FAQ

Do mulberries grow fast?

Yes. Mulberries are among the fastest growing fruit trees and can grow several feet per year.

Can I keep a mulberry tree small?

Yes. Pruning can maintain trees at 8–10 ft tall.

How long before fruiting?

Many mulberries fruit within 1–3 years.

Are mulberries messy?

Fruit may fall when ripe. Plant away from patios if staining is a concern.

🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?

✅ Ideal For

• Florida gardeners
• backyard orchards
• food forests
• permaculture landscapes
• wildlife gardens

❌ Not Ideal For

• extremely small yards
• patios where fruit stains matter
• climates below zone 7 without protection

🚚 Shipping Notes

This plant ships in a 4-inch container.

Small plants ship best to:

• Florida
• Southeastern US
• Texas

We ship nationwide, but plants traveling long distances may require additional recovery time.

Shipping details:

• UPS Ground only
• Ships Mondays from Florida
• Buyer discretion advised during extreme heat or cold

Plants may arrive dormant or partially defoliated during winter, which is normal.

🌾 Local Pickup

GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

18709 US Hwy. 41

Spring Hill, FL 34610

Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM

Sat 8AM–3PM

Visit us to explore our full mulberry collection and larger tree sizes.

🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services

At GreenDreams we do more than grow plants — we design regenerative ecosystems.

Services include:

🌳 edible landscape consultations

🚜 installation services

🌾 food forest design

🚚 compost, mulch & soil delivery

🌱 regenerative land planning

Let us help you turn your landscape into a thriving edible paradise.