Here we go round the missing mulberry bush

Union Square’s stricken mulberry

There’s a new open space in the flower bed on the northwest corner of Union Square. Sadly the mulberry tree that used to grow in that spot is no longer there. The Union Square gardening volunteers believe it was struck by lightning in a July storm and heavy wind then brought down a main branch which covered the gate and path. Happily no one was hurt but the tree had to be cut down, leaving just the stump.

The Friends of Union Square Gardens and local residents are all sorry to lose such an established tree but the silver lining is that there is finally a bed in full sun in which they can plant some flowering shrubs – a rare treat in this shady square.

In the early 17th century, King James I tried to establish an English silk industry to rival those of France and Italy. He asked the nobility to plant 10,000 mulberry trees, on which silkworms feed. But the scheme never really took off, perhaps because most of the trees planted were black mulberries (considered to have the better fruit) and not white mulberries (which silkworms prefer). Or perhaps our damp, cool climate was to blame.

In May this year campaigners won a High Court battle over plans by developers to remove the oldest mulberry tree in East London. It stands in the grounds of the former London Chest Hospital next to Victoria Park. The saved Bethnal Green mulberry is believed to have been planted by Bishop Bonner in the 16th century and has thus survived plague, fire, the Blitz and now developers.

Tempted to plant a mulberry tree for its delicious fruit? You’ll need to be patient. Mulberries can take eight to nine years before their fruits start to appear.

And if you want to inspect a thriving mulberry close to home, make a date to visit the Arlingtonian gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme on 3 July next year. One garden that’s entering the NGS for the first time not only has a glorious mulberry tree, it has beehives too!