Paper Mulberry is a small (30’ tall) deciduous tree native to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. It was introduced into the U.S. in the mid-1700s as an ornamental shade tree because of its rapid growth rate. Paper Mulberry is classified by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a Tier II invasive species defined as “currently causing moderately negative impacts on wildlife or natural communities in Louisiana”.
It’s widely distributed across north Louisiana, but also occurs in some southern parishes. Paper Mulberry spreads by root sprouts and rarely-produced animal-dispersed seeds. This species aggressively invades recent openings such as forest and field edges where it displaces native species by competition and shading.
Landscape With These Native Plants Instead:
