King James Black Mulberry Tree, Self Fertile + Very Popular, + Large Fruit + Intense Flavour *** FREE UK MAINLAND DELIVERY + 3 YR LTD WARRANTY ***

Chelsea (King James 1) Mulberry Tree Options

7 Litre: Usually comes in a 7-9 litre pot, will be 125-200 cm tall.
12 Litre: Usually comes in a 12-15 litre pot, will be 150-240 cm tall and will be a half standard meaning branches on half the trunk and a pleasing ornamental shape.

The Mulberry Story:

The black Mulbery has quite a history! It is derived from a tree that existed in Swan Walk in the 17th century, now known as the Chelsea Physic Garden, during the time of King James 1. During the 1939/45 war the last remaining tree was about to be grubbed to make way for an air shelter when cuttings were taken and this tree has survived ever since. So indirectly, you would be growing a WWII veteran!

About The King James Mulberry Tree:
King James (Morus Nigra King James), also known as the Chelsea Mulberry, has mulberries which are unusually large in size and succulent fruit cropping later than most other Mulberry. With an intensely rich flavour, it is a real favourite. Add sugar, microwave and pour over ice cream! The black mulberry also makes for an attractive ornamental tree.

The King James Mulberry tree has quite a wide shape often growing to be slightly wider than it is tall. Expect it to be long lived and reach a height of around 12m with a possible width of 15m. This is all subject to local conditions and weather and with the phenomenon of sinkholes becoming more prevalent in the UK, negative height numbers are not covered under warranty!

As your King James tree ages expect the branch structure to become gnarled and twisted which can be very attractive.

Picking Mulberry fruits can be a messy business so for cleaner fingers and clothes, try placing a sheet under the tree and shaking. The perfectly ripe Mulberries will fall. Daily harvesting is recommended.

The Chelsea King James Mulberry is tolerant of a wide range of soils and can be grown against a wall if space is limited but do remember the ultimate height and spread if you choose to do this. It will perform better in deep, well draining soils however not so well draining that you have to constantly water. If you have heavy clay mixing your soil with 50:50 compost or well rotted manure is a good option and the same applies if you have very sandy soil. Should your site be particularly windy then consider staking for the first few years until your Mulberry tree is established.

Despite its ultimate large size, you can grow Chelsea King James Mulberry trees in pots for up to 15 years providing that you water and feed especially in the Spring and Summer. The largest possible pot you can give it is the easiest option for you as it will not need feeding or watering so often. We use 110 litre pots for our most mature fruit trees but they require 2 average people to move them unless you have a trolley.

Feeding your King James Mulberry could consist of a general purpose tree fertilizer in late winter and organic mulch in Spring. Your local DIY store will also have liquid or granular feeds that can be easier.

Pruning your Mulberry tree is best carried out in the Autumn. Allow around 4 weeks after leaf fall before you start chopping branches off. You definitely want to cut out the diseased, dead and crossing over branches but also consider those that crowd other branches. The more light and air you can get into the centre of the tree the healthier it will be. A good rule of thumb is if a light wind is going to cause branches to rub against another then it could cause you problems in the future. Any small branches, suckers etc that grow below the main canopy of the Mulberry, especially near the roots can and should be removed as they are not going to amount to anything.

Some of the lower branches may need supporting to prevent them from breaking under their own weight. If they do, these can easily be pruned out.

If you want Mulberries quicker and don't have the patience to wait then try the Jerusalem Black Mulberry Tree or the Wellington. Fruits in the first year and has an amazing velvety taste.

Previous customers have commented on fruiting times and soil type seems to be deciding factor. Chalky soil and sheltered gardens meant one customer only had to wait around 5 years for it to start fruiting.

Type of Mulberry: Eating/Cooking

Time of Mulberry Picking: August

Self-Fertile/Not Self-Fertile: King James is a self-fertile Mulberry, so there is no need for another Mulberry to aid pollination to get fruit.

We will include a message card included at no additional cost if required.

Customer Feeback About Our King James Black Mulberry Tree

*King James Mulberry Has arrived in excellent condition thank you Wendy macgregor 1221

Hello Chief Dogsbody, A position I know only too well! Service was great, tree (King James Mulberry), was very well packed. It arrived as promised, maybe earlier than was expected! It is in the ground. I wanted as did my client, a tree that would be there for the next generation and beyond...and I like Mulberries! I will send a photo in 40 years time to show you what it looks like...I am 62 but have no plans to retire from being a Landscape Gardener...in the real sense of the name.....well, maybe I might cut back a little. Best wishes.Mike Meadway. 0120
Hi Alan (dogs body), Mulberry tree arrived this morning and I’m delighted with it, It is indeed a healthy specimen, Do you ever stock the Wedding Cake Tree? Kind regards J. Jefferson.
Give me time, the trees supplied were excellent as I hope those to come will also be.....1018
Received with pleasure. M. Cotton Managing Director
Hello, Both the mulberry and the quince trees arrived last week. Both are lovely trees, extremely well packaged and very well shaped. Many thanks for two excellent plants. Carl 0418
Thank you, Alan. It arrived yesterday and we are very pleased with it - a memorial tree to our dearest friend! Margaret 0418
Trees arrived well thanks, S Gatleey 0117
Trees Online delivered my King James Mulberry Tree in a wonderfully simple and timely fashion...in a big long cardboard box; now in the ground (the tree that is) and doing well. The whole process was excellent and hassle free, including the website. Congratulations on a really good service! Yours...Andy 1015
Hello Alan, The King James Mulberry tree arrived today (Friday), looking fit and healthy. Thank you. Regards Sue Attridge 0915
Hey General Dogsbody, I'm very happy with my King James Mulberry tree and your service! Very happy customer, the tree I wanted was in stock and delivered for free within a few days, well packaged and intact! The website is easy to negotiate and the ordering process very straightforward.Will use again for all my tree needs! Regards, Yvette Davis Happy tree Customer 1215
Dear Dogsbody, Thank you for the lovely King James mulberry tree arrived undamaged and on time looking lovely. The recipient of this gift will be planting the tree at the weekend. We are all looking forward to tasting the fruits in the summer if the birds don'tget there first! Thanks once again for an excellent service and a wonderful tree. Sara Selby
It arrived safe and well yesterday afternoon. It looks like a Nice King James Mulberry tree....Martin Z 0214
Dear Alan, This is to confirm the King James Mulberry and other trees have been delivered and are all in good order. I am very happy with the service and would happily buy from you again. You can add this to your testimonials with pleasure. I also appreciate the way you have communicated; in timely, informative and really rather barmy manner. Regards Jamie Feather 1113
Hi Alan, King James Mulberry tree arrived in excellent shape (better than I had hoped) and not too rootbound in the pot as is often the case. It is now planted in position and has been well settled by the recent rain and looking good though I will have some time to wait for the Mullberries, one of the joys of gardening- it rewards the patient. regards. Harry Hall 1013
Mulberry tree looks beautiful! Lovely size and shape. Thank you. T. Hardwick 0813
Hello! Very happy with the service and my new mulberry tree thank you! The packaging was excellent so it arrived in good health and is now subject to my gardening lack of skills but genuine enthusiasm. It is a very healthy tree and looks fantastic.Very happy and looking forward to having mulberries to poach next summer, Rachel Cave.0812
Just to let you know, a perfect King James Mulberry tree has arrived. Thank you so much. Jonathan and Claire
*Added for transparency and clarity

Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you. 

Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back. 

Planting In The Corner Of A Garden 
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy. 

Fruit Tree Heights
Taller does not mean more value for money. A 1 year old fruit tree can easily be substantially higher than a 2 year old, this is because they are hard pruned at 1 year old to create the desired shape. Some trees have over 100cm of height removed. They can then have another pruning at 2 years old to increase fruit growing real estate. Most fruit trees will benefit from having a third to half of the seasons new growth cut back in the Autumn to prevent long whippy branches which break easily. Age and pruning completed determine real value.