Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does anyone here have a good picture of a mulberry tree i don't know what they look like and i need some tips for finding them.

Hi - do a search in Google Images http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q= for mulberry tree or Morus alba then take your pick.

The linked site below gives you lots of info and photos as well.

Are you planning on raising your silkies? If you are and live in a northern area where you will not have access to leaves year round check out the previous thread on this subject/artifical diet as it was discussed at length.

Hope this helps you out

lele
mulberry tree

I have found that in Southern California you can usually find Mulberry Trees at Public parks, schools, etc. I don't know why this is. Anyway, I just head down the street to my local park and take 10-20 leaves every few days. (I think I'm like a human locust the way I'm stripping the lower leaves!).

Anyway, they are tall, bushy trees, with large leaves (about 6" to 10" in height by 4" to 6" across). The leaves have serrated edges and are either "tear drop" shaped or have are the shape of a Maple leaf, but with three "fingers" instead of five.

The trees grow large. I would say that they get about 30' in height with dark, brown trunks. As mentioned, they are large and bushy all the way around. All in all, they are great shade trees which is probably what makes them so ideal for parks.

Good luck on your tree hunt!

(by the way, the picture in the link to Lele's Mulberry Tree Post doesn't look like the ones we have here in SoCal for some reason...)
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5 Month Old Ambanja Male I - LESTER
5 Month Old Ambanja Male II - SHOGO

...I understand why you think they look so different! the main photo in that link is actually a smoke bush. Sorry about that - I wish they didn't do it that way. You have to click on a thumbnail to the left and it will show in that frame the selected photo.

Personally I don't think the foliage looks anything like a maple, though. Mulberry has deeply serated margins and the lobes (fingers) can vary in size and amount all on the same tree. It's leaf is much thicker and glossy. Here is a site all about Morus spp. in California. http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/mulberry.html

BTW, you say you wander down and collect from your park? Isn't that rather risky? Most municipalities spray their ornamental trees in public places (especially fruit trees if they have both male and female)...just something to think about if you haven't already - which you probably have

HEre's a link for leaf shape:
Mulberry leaf variability

Yeah...Lele was right: The Maple Tree leaf wasn't the best comparison, but I couldn't think of any other common leaf that had multiple "lobes" (thanks for the new word!).

The trees down at the park aren't sprayed that I know of. Plus, I do that whole "soak-and-clean-them" process I have read about. The worms are healthy and the chams seem great, so I believe I'm okay.

My biggest problem is that I have over a thousand silkworms that my chams have no chance of going through --- it's just too many. If anyone needs some silkies, let me know and we'll figure something out. They are still pretty small (less than 1" for many), but there are just too many to feed.

thehibs@usa.com
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5 Month Old Ambanja Male I - LESTER
5 Month Old Ambanja Male II - SHOGO

If you want to be sure call your local Parks and Recreation (or equivalent) and ask. just don't tell them why as I am sure they won't be too happy about your collecting leaves...tell them it's a school project of some sort for your kid - or you LOL! as I have NO idea how old you are

lele

>>Yeah...Lele was right: The Maple Tree leaf wasn't the best comparison, but I couldn't think of any other common leaf that had multiple "lobes" (thanks for the new word!).
>>
>>The trees down at the park aren't sprayed that I know of. Plus, I do that whole "soak-and-clean-them" process I have read about. The worms are healthy and the chams seem great, so I believe I'm okay.
>>
>>My biggest problem is that I have over a thousand silkworms that my chams have no chance of going through --- it's just too many. If anyone needs some silkies, let me know and we'll figure something out. They are still pretty small (less than 1" for many), but there are just too many to feed.
>>
>>thehibs@usa.com
>>-----
>>5 Month Old Ambanja Male I - LESTER
>>5 Month Old Ambanja Male II - SHOGO