Mulberry trees originally hail from warmer climates, and while they can handle some cold, they aren’t exactly polar explorers. If temperatures dip too low, your tree can suffer, leading to a disappointing harvest later on. This is especially true for young trees, which need a little extra TLC to get through the chilly months.
Choosing the Right Spot
Picking the perfect location is half the battle when it comes to winter survival. Ideally, you want to plant your mulberry in a sunny, south-facing spot or right up against a south-facing wall for that extra bit of radiant heat. If you live in a milder region—like a wine-growing area—the climate is usually gentle enough that your trees won’t need much help at all.
Protecting the Trunk
The trunk is the lifeline of your tree, and young ones are particularly vulnerable. You’re protecting them from two things: freezing temperatures and “frost cracking.” When bark splits due to temperature swings, it opens the door for moisture and nasty bacteria that can cause diseases.
If your tree is still on the skinny side, wrap the trunk in an old blanket or some burlap sacks. Coconut fiber mats are another great option you can find at most garden centers. The golden rule here? Make sure the material is breathable. If moisture gets trapped against the bark, it can rot. This is why you should avoid bubble wrap for the trunk—it’s great for shipping packages, but terrible for trees! (The only exception is wrapping the *pot* of a container-grown sapling to keep the root ball warm).
For older, thicker trees where wrapping isn’t practical, try a white lime wash. Paint it on the trunk up to about five feet high. The white color reflects the winter sun, preventing the bark from heating up too fast during the day and cracking when it freezes at night.
Caring for the Branches
If you have a young tree with a small canopy, you can wrap the branches in winter fleece. Just a heads-up: if it snows, make sure to go out and give the tree a gentle shake. Snow can pile up on the fleece, making it so heavy that the branches might actually snap.
If you decide not to cover the crown, don’t panic if a few branch tips freeze back. It’s usually not a big deal—just snip off the dead wood when you do your spring pruning, and the tree will bounce right back.
