North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Steven Covacci <filtertitle@aol.com>]

Gentlemen:


I'd like to risk planting a black mulberry (M. nigra) in zone 6b/7a NJ.  I'd 
keep it pruned to around 15' if it makes it. What would I do to ensure it 
survives 6b winters at their worst?  I'll steep it to get it on its own roots 
so that if (when) it dies back, it'll re-sprout from a strong root-system.


Secondly, I'd like to plant a red mulberry (M. rubra).  Would there be 
long-term graft incompatibility between the scion and a rootstock of Russian 
variety M. alba?  Will it grow exceedingly wide and large, grown in some 
competition from the sides from persimmon trees, in New Jersey?  I hear they 
have short-life spans these days due to uv-radiation.


Thanks,
Steve
Zone 6b/7a NJ