Left by the Birds... Mulberry Tree in my Backyard

What a pleasant surprise to find a wild Mulberry tree growing in my backyard. I've seen the tree thrive from a young sprout, to a towering giant, never noticing the yummy berries it produced. It was while I was walking in my backyard that I did a double-take, mistaking a branch for wild blackberries. But blackberries don't grow on trees....

Sure enough, it's Mulberry! Must had been brought over by bird droppings. Just like I'm finding pecan's growing in my flower pots, more than likely from the squirrels. We don't have any pecan trees in our yard.

Now that we have Mulberry, we'll see if the silkworms show up. Another project in itself.

Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush.
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
So early in the morning.

Did you know this song originated in England? Many claim it was the Wakefield Prisoners, who would sing this as they circled the Mulberry tree on the prison ground.

About Mulberry Trees

Mulberry trees are fast-growing deciduous trees that can be found throughout much of Texas. Their sweet berries ripen in late spring and early summer and are enjoyed by both people and wildlife. Birds are especially fond of mulberries and often help spread the seeds to new locations, which is why volunteer mulberry trees frequently appear in unexpected places.

Mulberries can be eaten fresh from the tree or used in jams, jellies, pies, muffins, and other desserts. The berries resemble elongated blackberries, but they grow directly from the branches of a tree rather than on thorny canes.

A Favorite of Wildlife

One reason mulberry trees are so successful is their ability to attract wildlife. Birds, squirrels, and other animals eagerly feed on the fruit. In return, they help distribute the seeds throughout the surrounding area. Many gardeners discover volunteer mulberry trees growing along fence lines, near bird feeders, or in neglected corners of the yard.

Silkworm Connection

Mulberry trees have played an important role in history because their leaves are the primary food source for silkworms. For thousands of years, mulberry trees have been cultivated in Asia to support silk production. Without mulberry leaves, there would be no traditional silk industry.

Finding a wild mulberry tree in the backyard was an unexpected surprise and a reminder of how nature often plants its own garden when birds and wildlife are allowed to do the landscaping.

It's amazing what will grow in one's yard if a certain area is left for the birds.

Backyard - Certifying for Wildlife Habitat

One of the things that we're working on is certifying our yard as a wildlife habitat. What does this mean? Well, many things. My family likes being outdoors and seeing animals come to our house - rabbits, squirrels, possum's, raccoons, frogs, lizards, birds, bats, snakes... yes snakes. I don't mind a simple garden snake. They after all, DO serve a purpose. We also don't like cookie cutter backyards. I'm one of those people who gets frustrated when I watch the home decorating network on TV and they start chopping down trees and shrubs for curb appeal. I LIKE trees, I LIKE shrubs, and wild plants. So do wildlife.

To be certified, our backyard needs to provide food, shelter, water, and a place for young to thrive. Also, we need to be showing good stewardship in how we handle pesticides, water conservation, and compost, etc.

With a keen interest in seed saving, and growing healthier (non genetically modified) vegetables, I stopped using pesticides several years ago. This includes spraying for mosquitoes. One of the most natural (and effective) ways to combat insects is using cedar mulch! Not only does it smell wonderful, but the bugs will find somewhere else to burrow. Home Depot sells local Texas cedar that is amazingly cheap - about $2-something a bag. The few bags I had purchased from Walmart's were not only more expensive than Home Depot, but were disappointing in texture and smell. Not worth it, in my opinion.

Enjoying the outdoors from a screened porch was the best investment we had ever made!

Seasonal pools are considered a water source for the wildlife habitat. The pool fountain offers relaxing background noise of splashing water, and even cools the air. Colorful dragonflies, birds, and hovering bumble bees love to dive over the sparkling water.

Squirrel nest above the pool.

This is an old English ivy climbing the tree. Considered invasive to some, but I love it.

Benefits of a Certified Wildlife Habitat

Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat is a great way to encourage birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other beneficial wildlife to visit your yard. By providing food, water, shelter, and places for wildlife to raise their young, even a small backyard can become an important refuge for nature.

Some benefits of a wildlife habitat include:

• Attracting songbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
• Supporting native plants and local ecosystems.
• Reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
• Providing natural opportunities for photography, birdwatching, and nature study.
• Creating a more diverse and interesting landscape throughout the year.

One of the things I enjoy most about maintaining a wildlife habitat is watching the changing variety of visitors. From nesting birds to migrating butterflies, every season brings something new to discover. Even in a suburban neighborhood, a backyard can become a small sanctuary for wildlife.

This is an invasive reed that I do need to take under control. Currently I have been harvesting it for "bamboo" projects which I will share about later.

I talk about this here:  

Growing Weeds: Giant Reed: The Bamboo-Looking Invader of Texas

Growth by the fence that harbors many bird's nests.

Gotta have blackberries!

Wild honeysuckle... smells wonderful in the mornings and evenings!

We no longer mow our backyard, but now use an electric weed eater to trim away paths.

bird's nest almost eye level. Can hear baby chicks when we walk underneath.

We have a lot of work to do to get our yard in shape, but it's well worth it having the great outdoors right at our doorstep! What will the certification gain? Hopefully interested neighbors. I would love to see more people take an interest in making their suburban backyards a wildlife habitat!