Trees & Shrubs diurnal

Paper mulberry

Broussonetia papyrifera

A fast-growing marvel with a rich history in papermaking, the paper mulberry is a backyard staple that provides dense shade and a late-summer feast for local birds. Its uniquely 'fuzzy' leaves and vibrant orange fruits make it one of the most visually interesting trees to track through the seasons.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Height of 10-15 meters (33-50 feet); trunk diameter up to 60 cm (24 inches)

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Colors

Light gray-brown bark; dull green leaves with pale, velvety undersides; female trees produce bright orange-red globular fruits

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Key Features

Highly variable leaf shapes, ranging from simple heart-shapes to deeply lobed patterns on the same branch
Soft, velvety hairs covering young twigs and leaf undersides
Milky white sap released from stems or leaves when broken

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6 AM - 8 PM (Daylight for growth and fruit visibility)

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Season Year-round (Bark and structure in winter; leaves and fruit in Summer)

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Diet As a photosynthetic plant, it produces its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, while drawing nitrogen and minerals from the soil.

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Habitat Disturbed areas, suburban yards, forest edges, and riverbanks; highly adaptable to various soil types.

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Behavior

The paper mulberry is an exceptionally vigorous and fast-growing deciduous tree. It is known for its opportunistic growth strategy, often colonizing disturbed sites, vacant lots, and forest edges. Unlike many trees that rely solely on seeds, the paper mulberry spreads aggressively through an extensive underground root system that sends up new shoots (suckers), often creating dense, clonal thickets that provide heavy shade.

While it is traditionally valued in Asia for its inner bark, which is processed into high-quality paper and barkcloth (tapa), it is considered an invasive pioneer species in many parts of North America and Europe. Its resilience makes it a common sight in urban 'backyard wild' areas where it provides significant cover for small mammals and nesting sites for urban birds.

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Camera Tips

Documenting the paper mulberry on your backyard camera is most rewarding when you focus on its seasonal transitions. To capture the tree's unique structure, place your camera about 4-5 feet off the ground, angled slightly upward to catch the interplay of light through its large, variable leaves. Because the leaves can be quite large, ensure the camera is at least 6-10 feet away from the foliage to prevent 'white-out' from the infrared flash at night or motion-blur during windy days.

The 'golden window' for paper mulberry photography is late summer (July through September). If you have a female tree, the bright orange-red globular fruits are a major attractant for wildlife. Position your camera with a clear view of a fruiting branch to record a variety of visitors, including Catbirds, Robins, and squirrels. Use a high-sensitivity trigger setting, as birds landing on branches move quickly; a 'burst mode' of 3-5 photos per trigger will help you catch the perfect shot of a bird mid-meal.

In the winter months, the paper mulberry offers a different visual interest. Its bark is relatively smooth and gray with a distinct 'braided' appearance on older trunks. To capture these textures, mount your camera securely to a post or a neighboring tree and use the highest resolution setting. Since there is no movement from the tree itself in winter, you can set longer video trigger times to capture the small mammals, like opossums or rabbits, that often forage around the base of these trees for fallen seeds or bark.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Paper mulberry.

White Mulberry

White Mulberry has glossy, smooth leaves without the velvety underside, and the fruit is elongated like a blackberry rather than spherical.

Red Mulberry

Native Red Mulberry has rough, sandpaper-like leaf tops but lacks the dense, soft 'fuzz' found on the stems of the paper mulberry.

Sassafras

While both have variable leaf lobes, Sassafras leaves are smooth and aromatic when crushed, and it produces dark blue berries on red stalks.

Frequently Asked Questions

The paper mulberry typically produces its distinctive, round, orange-red fruits in late summer, usually between July and September, depending on your local climate.

If you have a female tree, the fruit will naturally attract birds. To increase activity, ensure the tree has a clear flight path for birds to enter and exit, and avoid pruning the lower fruiting branches where smaller songbirds feel safer feeding.

They are very unique because a single tree can have heart-shaped leaves and deeply lobed leaves at the same time. They are always dull green on top and very soft and fuzzy on the bottom.

Yes, it is very common in suburban environments, particularly along property lines, fence rows, and in untended corners of backyards where it can grow undisturbed.

Look at the texture; paper mulberry leaves and twigs are very 'hairy' or velvety, whereas White Mulberry leaves are usually smooth and glossy. Additionally, paper mulberry fruit is a round ball, while White Mulberry fruit looks more like a blackberry.

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