Che, Cudrania tricuspidata, also known as Chinese Mulberry and Silkworm Thorn is a small spiny, deciduous, temperate or sub tropical, fruit bearing tree indigenous to China, Japan and Korea. The plant grows to 6 meters tall and about 6 meters wide at a slow rate. Cudrania tricuspidata is a member of the family Moraceae the genus Cudrania.

Leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate, 6-14 cm long, 3-7 cm wide, entire or sometimes with two rounded lobes. Leaves are dark glossy green above, paler and slightly hairy beneath, peculiarly on leaf nerves. Apex pointed. Leaves are used as food for silkworms.

The yellowish-green, small flowers of Cudrania tricuspidata are dioecious consequently both male and female plants are need if grown for fruit or seed. However, male trees on occasions produce a few small fruits.

Che bears heavy crops every year. Female trees produce fruit that is large, 25mm in diameter, maturing in late summer to the autumn. Male trees are used mainly as pollinators for female trees, though it does produce a few fruits sometimes.

Che fruit is berry-like, edible and resembles a mulberry to which it is related. It is consumed fresh or preserved. The firm immature fruit is relatively tasteless however, when soft-ripe it is sub-acid to sweet and some forms can be flavorsome and deliciously sweet.

Tree propagation is by seed – best sown in as soon as fruit is ripe. The plant requires a sunny position and a fertile, moist but well-drained sandy or loamy soil. Che is a hardy plant to -9ºC.

Che, Cudrania tricuspidata

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The key to successful fruit and nut production is the provision of a beneficial environment for the trees that bear them.