Asked on Jul 15, 2013
Weed Or Priceless Plant?
+78
I have this thing growing in my flower bed that I've never seen before. It just sort of popped up out of nowhere. I was going to cut it down, but it sort of looks like it might be some kind of bush. Any ideas what it is or is it just a fancy looking weed that I've been watering for the last few months?
The leaves are serrated and about 4-5 inches long
The baby leaves are sort of curled and straighten out when they get larger
Right now it's about five feet tall and growing almost straight up. The "limbs" are fairly strong and woody.
78 answers
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It looks like a mulberry to me.
![Marilyn Highley]()
Marilyn Highley
on Jul 15, 2013
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I was thinking Eupatory lol. *shrug* Or Lambsquarter?
![Kelley Aho Phillips]()
Kelley Aho Phillips
on Jul 15, 2013
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I agree with Marilyn Highley...looks like a mulberry. If so, a little birdie most likely planted the seed. We have two of these messy trees on our property. I love the shade but NOT the berries! I am glad our trees are not close to the house.
![Linda Hopper]()
Linda Hopper
on Jul 15, 2013
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That's funny, Linda. I almost made the same comment about the mulberry being the result of a bird fly-over.
![Marilyn Highley]()
Marilyn Highley
on Jul 15, 2013
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It looks like a Mulberry to me. It is very stubborn and it will come back every year if you don't dig up the roots. It is listed as one of the 12 trees that you don't want growing in your yard. As long as it isn't in a bad spot and you don't let it get too big it is ok to have but otherwise it can be a nuisance. I love the berries but when the birds eat them they leave you a nice mess all over your cars. Also you don't want to have to park your cars underneath them. You will be washing your car every day.Good luck!:)
![Larose LoganOakes]()
Larose LoganOakes
on Jul 15, 2013
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My neighbors have mulberries, and they have male trees, since the problems we have are with huge amounts of 'catkins' full of pollen. So after the pollen is done causing post nasal drip, then the catkins start falling, and then in teh early winter here 3500 feet in AZ, the leaves start falling. These are very messy trees, and after a few years they will require mucho pruning. Imagine those few branches you have now, as a multibranched tree! And don't forget those shallow and huge roots, snaking towards your foundation? All that being said, I love that mulberry tree! It provides the best shade, which is really hard to come by here, and the birds just love it... Cedar Waxwings, house finches, hummingbirds, American Goldfinches, Doves, Crows and ravens, Warblers, flycatchers.... Blubirds... Ok, you probably got the picture after the first 5 birds mentioned! I guess my final recommendation would be to remove the mulberry, and replace it with a tree more suited to a yard, adn one which wouldn't choke out the grass with the amount of leaves that fall... and you better get right on it if you do take it out, since that speicmen is not going to be very easy to pull out! Good luck!
![Maggie Lais]()
Maggie Lais
on Jul 16, 2013
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I thought it looked like Hardy Hibiscus!
![Mikell Paulson]()
Mikell Paulson
on Jul 16, 2013
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looks like a tree from your mollberry. I have oak and ash tree. I find new trees all over my yard. Birds do this.
![Sandra T]()
Sandra T
on Jul 16, 2013
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In defense of the Mulberry I'll tell you about mine. When I moved into a new house a Mulberry was growing in the front yard right on the property line and my neighbor begged me to dig it up. Previous owners and the neighbor had pruned it until it was a tall/wide shaggy bush. They most likely did that once year. I saw it could be shaped into something beautiful and add to the privacy I wanted. So, I shaped it and trimmed it about every 2 weeks to maintain the height and width. Because I worked on it while taking care of my plants, it seldom bloomed and never had those awful berries. At Christmas time I put lots of lights on my prize Mulberry. Neighbors just loved it and I got compliments constantly. So it's all in how you view yours. If you don't like the maintenance of bushes I'd get rid of it now before it grows any bigger. Or, make it something pretty in your yard.
![Barbara Thomas]()
Barbara Thomas
on Jul 16, 2013
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MULBERRY! get rid of it.
![Ellen]()
Ellen
on Jul 16, 2013
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this Mulberry grows fast and is ugly.. dig it up.
![Ellen]()
Ellen
on Jul 16, 2013
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Looks like mulberry. The berries are actually edible and very tasty! Great for jam.
![LaDonna Olanyk]()
LaDonna Olanyk
on Jul 16, 2013
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mulberry...I have one...birds love the berries and you can eat them yourself...just be careful not to track the berries in the house on your shoes/feet...
![Karen]()
Karen
on Jul 16, 2013
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I had one take over a large beautiful Viburnum & killed it. We kept cutting it out but it just kept coming back. Finally we axed out the very large root last fall. Now I am seeing shoots coming up 3 feet from where we dug the root out - coming up in my Rose of Sharon. Hate the darn things - I'd get it out!
![Jane Kelly]()
Jane Kelly
on Jul 16, 2013
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If it is a Mulberry Tree.... The berries are delicious! I spent many hours as a child climbing the Mulberry tree in our yard.. Today our grandchildren love the berries from a tree in their yard which was a seed from great-grandma's tree.... The deer love those berries too!!! Have to live in the country to have room to enjoy these without worry about the mess from fallen berries that the deer and the children missed...Happy memories from my childhood for sure!!!!
![Roc200108]()
Roc200108
on Jul 16, 2013
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Mulberry!! grows fast and aggressively. Pull it up!
![Niambi E]()
Niambi E
on Jul 16, 2013
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I AMY BE CRAZY BUT LOOKS LIKE A TREE START FROM A TREE NEAR BY!
![Vicki Ostler]()
Vicki Ostler
on Jul 16, 2013
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Rose of Sharon bush
![Helenwas]()
Helenwas
on Jul 16, 2013
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I agree that it looks like a mulberry. I just so happen to have one that has white berries, came with the house when we bought it. Was I ever surprised to see the mulberries NOT turn purple as they got bigger. They taste the same, used to gather the purple ones from a tree in the woods when I was a kid! Of course I only get to eat what the birds don't get first, LOL!
![Maggie Van Etten]()
Maggie Van Etten
on Jul 16, 2013
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weed, we get them from neighbors true root. You can't believe how far they travel
![Regina Solomon]()
Regina Solomon
on Jul 16, 2013
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Whatever it is, it's not supposed to be there.......so if you didn't plant it and you don't want it there, it's a weed!
![Patti]()
Patti
on Jul 16, 2013
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Reminds me of the Cottonwood that sprouted up in my back yard in Oregon. Thought it was so "cute" but it grew like a...well, a weed. Within a year it was over 20 feet tall and it doubled in size in the next year. Paid a small fortune to have it removed when it got to 60 feet tall. My advice? Definitely find out what your plant is before it grows too much bigger. If it needs to be removed you'll want to do so while it is manageable.
![Cindy Rickard]()
Cindy Rickard
on Jul 16, 2013
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The male tree does NOT produce the dreaded berries & I LOVE MINE!!! Wished I had the skills to post a pic of mine, but when kept properly trimmed, it is a GREAT SHADE tree. I'm pretty sure that the cost of hiring a tree service to shape and trim mine every 3 yrs is more than saved by what I save on my electricity alone, but when you add to that with what I save on my water bills (lawn and flowers) to that, I'm way ahead of the game. My neighbors compete for the shaded street parking, which can easily give 2-3 cars much needed relief from our 100+ temps during our Sacramento summers. If you decide to keep it, it needs a good trimming, with all but one truck or you will just have a bush. :)
![Gayle Valverde]()
Gayle Valverde
on Jul 16, 2013
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mulberry are beautiful animal attracting trees, BUT keep away from people areas
![Dana Huempfner]()
Dana Huempfner
on Jul 16, 2013
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could it be rose of Sharon bush!!!!!!??????
![Carol Gould]()
Carol Gould
on Jul 16, 2013
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ROSE OF SHARON
![Margie R]()
Margie R
on Jul 16, 2013
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I thought it was a Hibiscus too, but I don't know about mulberry trees. Rose of Sharon also came to mind. I think the best way to find out is to contact your State or County Extension office for confirmation. Sounds like you'd better do it fast before it establishes roots everywhere. If you find out what it is, please post. Good Luck.
![Judy]()
Judy
on Jul 16, 2013
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I agree with Mulberry - they're Messy, but the berries are good. It's up to you to decide, but if you want to get rid of it do it sooner than later.....
![Lela]()
Lela
on Jul 16, 2013
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I believe it may be a Hackberry. It has the serrrated leaves and asymetricall off petioles. (see attachment). It also is planted by birds. If it is a Hackberry you need to cut down and put root kill on it. The main root is buried deep and cannot be cut cause it will send new shoots and continue growing. http://ohiodnr.com/forestry/trees/hackberry/tabid/5368/Default.aspx
![Betty M]()
Betty M
on Jul 16, 2013
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weed
![Peggy Driscoll]()
Peggy Driscoll
on Jul 16, 2013
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mullberry an the berries stain an birds love them
![Lynn McMahan]()
Lynn McMahan
on Jul 16, 2013
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I have a mulberry tree and would love to have more. It is in the backyard. It did grow fast and provides shade. I love it. The berries are delicious.
![Sally]()
Sally
on Jul 16, 2013
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Does it have any buds on it? My rose of Sharon has the same sort of leaves...
![Lee Vrba Murgach]()
Lee Vrba Murgach
on Jul 16, 2013
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Do you want a tree growing in that spot? If you don't want a mulberry bush or tree you will need to take it out or move it before taproot gets established.
![Denise Smith]()
Denise Smith
on Jul 16, 2013
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It is a mulberrey tree..it makes a great shade tree, has edible berries, but grows fierce and quick...I'd definitely keep it but would also keep it trimmed every few years.
![She200134]()
She200134
on Jul 16, 2013
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It's mulberry...dig it up unless u want it!!
![Cathy B]()
Cathy B
on Jul 16, 2013
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If you have an ipad look for the leaf finder app and it will tell you for sure.
![Mickey Pesola]()
Mickey Pesola
on Jul 16, 2013
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Mulberry trees are a mess, especially if you have lots of birds around. They eat the berries and then it comes out the other end and it stains where it lands. I think it looks like an alder tree.
![Andrea P]()
Andrea P
on Jul 16, 2013
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take a clipping to a nursery for them to identify;if it's a trash tree of some type get it out before it can do damage... roots of certain plants & trees can do plenty of damage
![Judy Feenstra]()
Judy Feenstra
on Jul 16, 2013
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Mulberry. I like having them in my yard. Here is some good info on them (like why they were brought here... has to do with silk): http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h405mulberry.html
![Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry]()
Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry
on Jul 16, 2013
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Volunteer plants can be a fascinating way to learn to identify new plants. You will find horticultural varieties, wild native plants and invasive weeds will arrive in your yard. Some are wonderful free gifts from nature. This year we have found cherry trees, raspberry, currant, two mint varieties, mulberry, grapes, and mustard... none we planted. Most delivered by the birds and most welcome additions to the garden. To allow this process you do need to allow a corner of your yard to get a bit wild, which can still look good. We also found invasive buckthorn which we are working to eradicate.
![Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry]()
Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry
on Jul 16, 2013
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dig it up and plant it in the far back corner of your yard then you will see what it is and still be able to plant something else where it is now
![Lynda Reeve]()
Lynda Reeve
on Jul 16, 2013
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Before I saw all the other comments, I thought it was a Rose of Sharon. It's probably not blooming because it's in the shade. I would move it and let it be what it wants to be. It's not a weed.
![Teresa Watkins]()
Teresa Watkins
on Jul 16, 2013
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mulberry tree dig it up and put it else where.
![Mrs P]()
Mrs P
on Jul 16, 2013
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That looks a lot like Rose of Sharon either bush or Tree.....my neighbor has them all alongside our yard that meets up with his and the seeds that the flowers produce have dropped onto my property and has sprouted and gown and looked exactly like this....beautiful flowers emerge.....you should keep it!
![Kathryn Bontia Gorman]()
Kathryn Bontia Gorman
on Jul 16, 2013
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A Rose of Sharon ...and I believe a bird pooped it out for you! My ROS's spread like wild fire and I replanted a lot along my fence! FREE TREE/BUSHES!!!! Enjoy..wonder what color it is!!
![Pam Perkins Zirbel]()
Pam Perkins Zirbel
on Jul 16, 2013
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If it is a Mulberry tree and if you have an acre of land or so dig it up and plant it as far back on your property as you can. If you want to keep it. It is a HUGE tree and very MESSY. Other wise dig it up and put it in the trash. I have had the experience of having this tree. I wouldn't let any stray plant stay in my yard without first finding out what it is. The problem with strays is that they will reproduce in your yard and you will end up with a forest. I have experienced this problem too. What a mess and such hard work to get rid of when you have discovered that the roots take over and grow under concrete and make a mess in general. It took us an entire summer to dig up all the roots. Every single root was sending up a new tree. Never again will I plant something without researching it. Which I do for anything that I think I want then I can make an informed decision and also know the name of what the plant-tree is.
![Irene]()
Irene
on Jul 16, 2013
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It's a Mulberry Get it away from your house even 90 ft is too close you will have bird poop all over your cars and windows
![Sue C]()
Sue C
on Jul 16, 2013
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I agree with all the mulberry postings. It could be a sterile mulberry but still will be a major endangerment to the house foundation if any where within 20' of the house!!!!
![Diana Kiley]()
Diana Kiley
on Jul 16, 2013
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Looks like a Rose of Sharron bush to me, those seeds can travel quite a ways before landing and taking sprout.
![Audrey Crist]()
Audrey Crist
on Jul 16, 2013
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it also looks like a rose of Sharon to me , it should flower in a couple weeks , give it 1 season , and if you don't like it take it and move it somewhere else , good luckgood luck
![Wendy Plyman]()
Wendy Plyman
on Jul 16, 2013
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Here is that article that I was telling you about yesterday. Check out #9.https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.houselogic.com%2Fphotos%2Fplants-trees%2Fbad-trees%2F&ei=qsblUZOKDsHUqgHs7YDYDg&usg=AFQjCNFnfeIABJtITShIaVv6HPD193kEwg&sig2=LJ80BF2E6MVwoV20DJUhTg
![Larose LoganOakes]()
Larose LoganOakes
on Jul 16, 2013
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I live in South Jersey, its a weed...not sure what it is but they grow all over the place here.
![Sarah M]()
Sarah M
on Jul 16, 2013
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WITH THE APP- LEAFSNAP ON THE SMART PHONE-TAKE A PIC OF THE LEAF(ANY LEAF) ON WHITE BACKGROUND, AND YOU'LL GET THE PLANT IDENTIFIED-RIGHT AWAY!!!!
![Ora Benor]()
Ora Benor
on Jul 16, 2013
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It is a weedy Siberian elm. It will spread all over your yard.
![Janet Jones]()
Janet Jones
on Jul 16, 2013
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Mulberry. It can be messy, but the berries are edible, and beloved by wildlife.
![Nancy L]()
Nancy L
on Jul 16, 2013
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mulberry but not messy if it's the male, only the female bear fruit, fast growing deciduous shade tree
![Marla Southwell]()
Marla Southwell
on Jul 16, 2013
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I have one too really tall my landscape guy said its a very bad invasive weed
![Denice Grubb]()
Denice Grubb
on Jul 16, 2013
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It looks like a mulberry tree. It's a nuisance. The birds eat the berries and poop purple all over everything. Put it way away from your house if you don't want purple stains all over everything.
![Chris J]()
Chris J
on Jul 16, 2013
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If it's a mulberry the berries are mildly sweet. I used to pick them as a child. Some actually made it home for Mom to make pies, put in a fruit salad and she even made jam. I have some of the trees, courtesy birds, but I live on 10 acres in the country and plenty of room for them to grow. The only thing I'm not sure of your picture is the growth habit - usually a single trunk, not many branches like yours. I would suggest you look at the bushes described by others here. If it is a Rose of Sharon you really need it out of your garden as it is pretty invasive.
![Nancy Hatcher]()
Nancy Hatcher
on Jul 17, 2013
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Mulberry. Hope its a male and doesn't have berries, because if its a female the birds will spread it all over your neighbor hood and your neighbors will hate you. Like I really hate mine!
![Mary]()
Mary
on Jul 17, 2013
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Why are y'all dissing the lowly mulberry tree? On several occasions I witnessed a cedar waxwing flock devour all of the berries in minutes--worth the price of some purple stains many times over!
![Eric G]()
Eric G
on Jul 17, 2013
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It doesn't look familiar, but I agree with everyone who said dig it up and move it. It might be better to put it in a flower pot and see what it does b4 it takes over a place in your yard.
![Sandra Lankford]()
Sandra Lankford
on Jul 17, 2013
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It's a mulberry. They are great wildlife plants but they get big and are messy.
![Michelle Eliker]()
Michelle Eliker
on Jul 17, 2013
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Looks like a Rose of Sharon to me, too. I have several in my yard, too. I have one that looks identical to this one, and it, too, isn't blooming as it is very young.
![Shelly M]()
Shelly M
on Jul 17, 2013
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rose of sharon
![Barbara Nowak]()
Barbara Nowak
on Jul 17, 2013
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I hope it turns out to be something beautiful
![Sharon Fisher]()
Sharon Fisher
on Jul 17, 2013
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I had the same thing "pop up" in my flowerbed this spring (actually it was probably last fall but unnoticed) and I took it to my local nursery and asked them the same question! I thought, at first, like Kathryn and Audrey, that it looked like my son's Rose of Sharon! But, they told me the same thing Pam said! A bird likely dropped it in my flowerbed last fall!! I got rid of it, because I don't want the wine colored juice getting tracked into the house on my carpets, abd I don't want the same colored bird droppings all over my patio and driveway!
![Patti]()
Patti
on Jul 17, 2013
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I disagree with Rose of Sharon. I may agree with Mulberry, but, my first instinct was an apple or cherry. I would take your pictures, and a leaf to your local nursery and ask.
![Robin Miller Cresci]()
Robin Miller Cresci
on Jul 17, 2013
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A gift from God how pretty can't wait to hear what it turns out to be!!!
![Doreen Nestell]()
Doreen Nestell
on Jul 17, 2013
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It's a mulberry.
![Deanna Riles-Cox]()
Deanna Riles-Cox
on Jul 18, 2013
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I can share why it is really a mulberry and explain how some of the other guesses missed the mark. The leaves shown are a variety of both lobed and unlobed leaves. This mix is fairly unique and a hallmark of the mulberry. The lobes are also irregular vs. symmetrical or opposite. The mulberry leaves with a single sinus between the lobes look like a mitten. Hibiscus may look almost lobed at times, but they lack true sinuses (the dips between lobes) and the leaf is more stair-stepped along the margins, than lobed and the minor indentations are symmetrical. Most of the other guesses are trees with only single, unlobed leaves.
![Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry]()
Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry
on Jul 18, 2013
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I had credentials in forestry, ecology, soil science, and conservation education from Colorado State, and worked in those fields before becoming a science teacher and then a carpenter... so I have to weigh in on these things now and again. Happy Gardening
![Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry]()
Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry
on Jul 18, 2013
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Thanks so much, Brian, for explaining that. I think I will have to go out and recheck the leaves on the plant I believed to be a young Rose of Sharon that didn't bloom this year. I have a Rose of Sharon just about 6 feet from it, so I thought for sure that is what it is, but I am not second-guessing. I love Mulberries, so I won't be disappointed, but I will definitely transplant it far away from the house. Hopefully, it would survive the move!
![Shelly M]()
Shelly M
on Jul 19, 2013
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Yes Mulberry. I have 2 in my yard. They grow fast and the the fruit makes great pies, jelly and wine. Great for snacking right off the tree also (if you don't spray). The berries are similar in appearance and taste to a blackberry and easier to pick. Birds love them. Mine had just a very few berries in their 3rd year but by year 5 they had huge crops (provided they get enough water). The trees will get fairly large though so be sure it has plenty of room and they shouldn't be by a walkway or where you park because of falling berries.
![Larisa Phillips]()
Larisa Phillips
on Jul 19, 2013
- See 1 previous
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Thank you everyone for your help! It's officially a Mulberry according to the garden center I took a leaf to. I am going to dig it out (if I can dig it out in one piece, I will do a curb alert on Craigslist to see if anyone around here wants to pick it up since I hate to waste a tree). It is about two feet from my foundation and about twenty feet from the septic system, so definitely not a good spot for a tree that will get that big :( Thanks again for all your help!
![House Of Hawthornes]()
House Of Hawthornes
on Jul 20, 2013
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It is a mulberry. Yes they get big and it takes a few years before they produce fruit. They can get messy so plant it in a spot that is not on a walkway. That way you won't be tracking it in the house. The birds love them and often gift them to gardeners. They can be very difficult to get rid of because the roots go deep. They can be a pain or a blessing depending on the type of garden you want.
![Brenda De Lair]()
Brenda De Lair
on Aug 13, 2013
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Thanks
![Regina]()
Regina
on Jun 24, 2014
Marilyn Highley
on Jul 15, 2013
Kelley Aho Phillips
on Jul 15, 2013
Linda Hopper
on Jul 15, 2013
Larose LoganOakes
on Jul 15, 2013
Maggie Lais
on Jul 16, 2013
Mikell Paulson
on Jul 16, 2013
Sandra T
on Jul 16, 2013
Barbara Thomas
on Jul 16, 2013
Ellen
on Jul 16, 2013
LaDonna Olanyk
on Jul 16, 2013
Karen
on Jul 16, 2013
Jane Kelly
on Jul 16, 2013
Roc200108
on Jul 16, 2013
Niambi E
on Jul 16, 2013
Vicki Ostler
on Jul 16, 2013
Helenwas
on Jul 16, 2013
Maggie Van Etten
on Jul 16, 2013
Regina Solomon
on Jul 16, 2013
Patti
on Jul 16, 2013
Cindy Rickard
on Jul 16, 2013
Gayle Valverde
on Jul 16, 2013
Dana Huempfner
on Jul 16, 2013
Carol Gould
on Jul 16, 2013
Margie R
on Jul 16, 2013
Judy
on Jul 16, 2013
Lynn McMahan
on Jul 16, 2013
Sally
on Jul 16, 2013
Lee Vrba Murgach
on Jul 16, 2013
Denise Smith
on Jul 16, 2013
She200134
on Jul 16, 2013
Cathy B
on Jul 16, 2013
Mickey Pesola
on Jul 16, 2013
Andrea P
on Jul 16, 2013
Judy Feenstra
on Jul 16, 2013
Brian Campbell, Basswood Artisan Carpentry
on Jul 16, 2013
Lynda Reeve
on Jul 16, 2013
Teresa Watkins
on Jul 16, 2013
Mrs P
on Jul 16, 2013
Kathryn Bontia Gorman
on Jul 16, 2013
Pam Perkins Zirbel
on Jul 16, 2013
Irene
on Jul 16, 2013
Sue C
on Jul 16, 2013
Diana Kiley
on Jul 16, 2013
Audrey Crist
on Jul 16, 2013
Wendy Plyman
on Jul 16, 2013
Sarah M
on Jul 16, 2013
Ora Benor
on Jul 16, 2013
Janet Jones
on Jul 16, 2013
Nancy L
on Jul 16, 2013
Marla Southwell
on Jul 16, 2013
Denice Grubb
on Jul 16, 2013
Chris J
on Jul 16, 2013
Nancy Hatcher
on Jul 17, 2013
Mary
on Jul 17, 2013
Eric G
on Jul 17, 2013
Sandra Lankford
on Jul 17, 2013
Michelle Eliker
on Jul 17, 2013
Shelly M
on Jul 17, 2013
Barbara Nowak
on Jul 17, 2013
Sharon Fisher
on Jul 17, 2013
Patti
on Jul 17, 2013
Robin Miller Cresci
on Jul 17, 2013
Doreen Nestell
on Jul 17, 2013
Deanna Riles-Cox
on Jul 18, 2013
Larisa Phillips
on Jul 19, 2013
House Of Hawthornes
on Jul 20, 2013
Brenda De Lair
on Aug 13, 2013
Regina
on Jun 24, 2014
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