WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Now is the best time to find white and red mulberries, especially in the Hudson Valley. Kingston seems to be a hot spot for finding wild ones. My favorites are some of the white ones that are actually “white” when ripe. They taste kind of like honey. Whites will grow just about anywhere without much effort, such as in a crack of pavement or parking lot edge. Reds vary and some are sweeter than others. Apparently, both white and red can hybridize, but am not sure. The birds will surely squawk at you no matter which one you pick. Mulberry is also unique in that it contains leaves with 3 different shapes (1 to 3 lobes). It also has orangish bark.
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association