Mulberry Tree Seedling Identification

Leaves

• Mulberry tree leaves grow in an alternate arrangement of the twig, and have an oval shape. They are simple, meaning each leaf consists of a single blade only. The edges of the leaves are jagged and toothed. One distinguishing feature of mulberry leaves is that an individual tree may have up to three different shapes of leaves on it. A single tree may have unlobed leaves (known as entire levels) two lobed leaves (which are mitten-shaped) or three lobes.

Twigs

• Although the bark of a seedling mulberry tree does not yet have the scaly irregular bark of a mature tree, the twigs of the seedling exhibit certain characteristic features. They are generally slender and have a slight "zigzag" shape to them. Newly grown twigs are green, but they gradually change to a red or orange-brown over time.

Similar Looking Species -- Sassafras

• As a young tree, the mulberry may be mistaken for another common North American tree, sassafras. Both types of tree exhibit a high degree of variation in the shape of the leaves of an individual tree. That is, both trees can have leaves that are unlobed, have two lobes,or three lobes. But sassafras leaves have a smooth edge and rounded shape. Mulberry leaves have a toothed edge.

Similar Looking Species -- Slippery Elm

• The leaves of the slippery elm tree may also resemble those of the mulberry at first glance. The overall oval shape of the two types of leaves is similar in unlobed mulberry leaves. However, slippery elm leaves have an asymmetrical base to the leaf. Mulberry leaves are symmetrical at their base. Both mulberry and slippery elm have a serrated edge to their leaves, but the mulberry has a single-toothed edge. Elms have a double-toothed edge.