Mulberry trees (Morus alba/nigra) were native to Asia and are now spread over nearly all southern European countries. They were cultivated 300 Years ago in northern Europe, as their leaves were the only accepted food of the silkworm, when people tried to breed and cultivate these animals in order to produce silken fabrics. The trees were not tough enough to stand the northern European winters, so mulberry trees are hard to be found in our regions today. The wood is seldom traded, although it is a really beautiful one: Mulberry trees produce a very strong, durable hard and attractive golden yellow to brown coloured heartwood, that is suited for all fine works and that was traditionally used for casks and stringed instruments.
