tree

Red Shahtoot

Morus macroura 'Red Shahtoot'

The Story

Plant Bio

Morus macroura, native to the Himalayas and parts of Southeast Asia, is a deciduous tree characterized by a spreading canopy and large, heart-shaped green leaves with serrated margins. The species produces inconspicuous, wind-pollinated catkins in spring that develop into exceptionally long, sweet mulberries.

'Red Shahtoot' is an informal trade designation applied to highly productive selections that yield elongated, deep red fruits. This cultivar is prized in home orchards for its sweet, low-acid berries and its adaptability to warm-temperate and subtropical climates.

Uses & Benefits:

Features a spreading, sometimes weeping canopy with large, bright green heart-shaped leaves.

Produces abundant, sweet, elongated red fruits suitable for fresh eating.

Provides a valuable food source for generalist fruit-eating birds and small mammals.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

358"

Width

299"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate

Native To

Himalayas, Tibet, southern China, northern India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia

Toxicity

Mildly toxic (unripe fruit and sap)

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with fertile, well-drained loamy or sandy soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery container.
Water deeply at planting and maintain consistent soil moisture during the first two to three years to establish a deep root system.
Apply a balanced organic fruit-tree fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
Protect young trees from deer and rabbits using physical wire cages or fencing.

Pro Tip

Prune only during deep winter dormancy and avoid cutting back heavily into old, leafless structural wood, as these branches lack latent buds and recover poorly.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Clean up dropped, overripe fruit promptly to prevent staining and minimize pest attraction.
Provide regular irrigation during fruit development to prevent premature fruit drop.
Prune annually in mid-winter to shape the canopy and remove dead or crossing branches.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay or boggy subsoils where water pools.
Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood that lacks visible buds.
Do not plant near coastal areas exposed to salty maritime winds and direct sea spray.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Harvest
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Edible LandscapingShade TreeSpecimen Tree

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Lavandula angustifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Red Shahtoot questions

What zones can Red Shahtoot grow in?

Red Shahtoot is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Red Shahtoot deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Red Shahtoot, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Red Shahtoot bloom?

Red Shahtoot typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Red Shahtoot need full sun?

Red Shahtoot does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Red Shahtoot drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Red Shahtoot handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.