The Cudrania grows, at a slow rate, 1 to 6 meters tall and of an equal spread. It has grayish brown bark and somewhat ridged branchlets. It is usually grown as a shrub border, a specimen plant, a windbreak and for its fruit.

Maclura tricuspidata leaves are dark green and they are an edible famine food. The flowers are dioecious, either male or female, (only one sex is to be found on any one plant), axillary, single or in pairs. Male flowers are 5 mm in diameter, female 1-1.5 cm in diameter.

The plant is not self-fertile. In Early to Late Summer clusters of tiny green flowers are produced from the current year’s leaf growth. This is followed on female trees by edible, glossy orange-red fruit.

The fruit of the Cudrania is edible and it is consumed fresh or preserved. It somewhat resembles mulberry and when soft-ripe it is sub-acid to sweet but some trees produce rather delicious fruit. The Cudrania fruit is about 25mm in diameter and contains numerous seeds.

Tree propagation is by seed. The plant favors a full sun location, (can’t grow in shade) and moderately fertile, well-drained soil to produce best results. It can grow on mountain slopes from 500-2200 meters. Maclura tricuspidata is a member of the Moraceae family the genus Maclura.

Cudrania, Maclura tricuspidata

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Cudrania | Chinese mulberry – maclura tricuspidata is a post from: Fruit and Nut Trees

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

A Sustainable Garden with Fruit Trees, Nut Trees and Other Fruit Bearing Plants is Fulfilling, Meaningful and a Worthy Undertaking.

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

Interested on Fruit and Nut Bearing Trees and Plants? Stay Tuned. There is Much More to Come.

Che | Chinese Mulberry – Cudrania tricuspidata is a post from: Fruit and Nut Trees