Mulberry trees, of this Morus genus, are usually grown for ornamental and culinary usage. They have many other applications, too, such as dietary supplement, basket weaving, fabric and hair dye, and paper production. Although hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, then they are grown from the wild and cultivated in temperate climates worldwide. Although the trees may reach 49 feet tall, picking ripe berries is near-effortless, as they easily fall from the tree when branches are muddy.
Spread a bit of plastic sheeting 3 feet bigger in width and length than the spread of this mulberry tree. The plastic sheeting, available at most home improvement and garden sockets, doesn’t need to be circular, just big enough to catch the mulberries as they fall.
Shake the branches and limbs of the mulberry tree vigorously to detach the berries. Use a long-reach garden rake to reach high limbs and branches. Reach the uppermost divisions by utilizing an orchard ladder; have someone hold the ladder steady while you are using it. Collect the grasses that have fallen onto the ground.
Handpick the ripe berries that stay on the tree. Wait two to three times to remove any unripe mulberries that stay. Place mulberries in a metallic container after selecting.