The Mulberry King James Ist. is rightly loved for its heart shaped serrated green leaves. The gnarled bark gives even younger trees a beautiful old historic appearance. Cropping at an earlier age than the regular mulberry the fruit appears in the summer ripening to deep purple luscious fruit in August/September. Delicious to eat off the tree or to use in cooking.

King James 1^st is a self-fertile deciduous tree growing to an approximate height and spread of 9m x 8m in maturity. Plant in a warm protected sunny position in moist, humas rich, fertile well drained soil.

Low maintenance, not much pruning is necessary but do remove dead growth in early winter. Very old trees need some loving attention to help them as they age.

Cultivation: Architectural, cottage, informal and wildlife gardens

Soil: Moist, humas rich, fertile, loam chalk, sand & clay

Position: Warm, sheltered & sunny

Foliage: Deciduous, heart shaped green leaves with yellow autumn colour

Flowering: Inconspicuous green flowers in spring

Fruit: Luscious purple fruit in August/September

Habit: Spreading

Hardiness: Hardy

Growth: Slow growing

Benefits to Wildlife: Loved by birds, bees and small wildlife

Height & Spread in Maturity: 9m-12m x 8m -10m

HISTORY: Black Mulberries were brought to England and planted in the 16^th Century. The King James 1^st is derived from a tree in the Physic Garden, Swan Walk in Chelsea during the time of King James 1. During the 1939/45 war the last remaining tree was about to chopped to make way for a air shelter. Luckily cuttings were taken and this variety has survived ever since.