This tree is named after its white fruit. It is native to China where the leaves were traditionally fed to silkworms. It is a fast growing (to 25 m) shade tree and tolerates a wide range of condi-tions, although it prefers deep soil, good drainage and full sun.
The leaves are very palatable to livestock and are nutritious (crude protein - 15.1%, crude fat -
5.7%, crude fibre - 13.7%, nitrogen free extract - 50.3%, calcium - 1.95%, phosphorous -0.4%.) If properly managed by annual pruning, it can be an important source of fodder and on well drained soils is one of the best trees for cultivation.
The dried fruit is used for human food in Afghanistan where it is ground and mixed with ground almonds as a staple (analysis of dried mulberry - : total solids - 94.81%, ash - 2.75%, protein - 2.59%, sucrose - 1.2%, invert sugar - 70.01%, crude fibre - 2.65%, starch absent).
The wood, especially the sapwood, has been used commercially in the manufacture of sporting goods. The wood is also used for house building, furniture, tool handles (can be pruned to shape when young), turnery, bent parts of carriages and carts, spokes, shafts, etc. The bark is used in China and Europe for making paper and the bark yields a fibre suitable for use in the textile industry.