Grows from a large shrub into a medium-size tree from 8 to 10 m tall. By nature, often multi-stem, but also grown as an arbour tree (canopy). The crown is open and has quite tangled branching. The young twigs are grey-green, the mature bark is grey-brown and regularly grooved. The leaf is regular ovate and sometimes slightly dissected just at the end of the shoots. The tip of the glossy, green leaf is pointed and the margin serrated. Morus alba is naturally monoecious and ‘Fruitless’ is a male cultivar. So, after the inconspicuous but lavish blossom no fruits are formed. This makes the tree suitable for public spaces where mess caused by fruits is undesirable. Saplings are sensitive to frost. Thrives in a sunny, warm and sheltered site. Favours calcareous soils and grows in infertile soil.
ovate, sometimes a little dissected, glossy green, 10 - 19 cm
Flowers
inconspicuous in pendent catkins, 5 - 6 cm, green, exclusivel♂ male, May/June
Fruits
none, fruitless cultivar
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
light and well drained, preferably calcareous
Soil moisture
suitable for dry soil
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
5a (-28,8 to -26,1 °C)
Wind resistance
moderate
Other resistances
resistant to frost (WH 1 - 6)
Shape
clearstem tree, multi-stem treem
Clear stem treeMulti-stem treeclay soilloamy soilnutrient-poor soilpeaty soilsandy soiltolerates no pavinglight-lovingresistant to frost (WH 1 - 6)suitable for dry soil2nd size, between 6 and 12 metreshalf-open crowngreengreenaverage growingnon-toxic (usually)Fruitless cultivar
Frequently asked questions
Morus alba 'Fruitless'
Morus alba 'Fruitless' can eventually reach a height of 8 - 10 (15) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.
Morus alba 'Fruitless' is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 8 - 10 (15) m, depending on the site and climate conditions.
The right time to plant Morus alba 'Fruitless' is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Morus alba 'Fruitless' with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.