Fate of Our Beloved Mullberry Tree is Sealed  

It will be coming down in the near future....

It has stood in its spot of glory for 100 plus years...

This is a weeping mulberry tree is also known by its botanical name of "Morus alba" and is commonly known as 'white mulberry tree'. It is a member of the mulberry family known as, "Moraceae." This deciduous tree is native to northern China. However, due to its hardiness, it is cultivated in other parts of Asia, Europe, and America, as well. At one time the mulberry tree was used to produce fruit as well cultivated throughout the world to feed silkworms, which in turn are used for the production of silk but this is no longer the case.

Also, this tree has made its mark in the plant kingdom for having the most rapid speed of pollen release. Yes, it fires pollen at almost half the speed of sound!

The adjective 'weeping' is prefixed to the name of this mulberry tree because the branches grow upwards and then droop down after expanding sideways.

Weeping mulberry is a fast growing tree.

This lovely tree can be identified by its shape, and weeping branches. Some cultivars can grow to a height of 15 feet, and a spread of 8 to 15 feet. The leaves of the weeping mulberry are from 2 to 7 inches in length and can be 6 inches wide; they are simple, undivided or lobed, and generally dark green in color. Some cultivars bear fruit, while others are fruitless -- the fruit attracts birds but can be extremely messy

There are two major types of cultivars: Morus alba 'Chaparral', which is a male tree. This cultivar has shiny green leaves, and can reach a height of from 10 to 15 feet. The second major cultivar is Morus alba 'Pendula', which is a female tree that bears fruit. Pendula can reach a height of from 6 to 8 feet

Once it is established it will be fairly drought tolerant. The weeping mulberry has no serious pest or disease problems.

This tree is also known for its strong surface roots. When planted near a sidewalk or driveway the roots will undermine the surface above them, and cause cracking. Cutting the lawn around a mulberry tree will also be a problem due to these surface roots.

White mulberry trees have been known to live for more than 100 years.



At a special park board meeting July 6, 3025 Ruth Tamminga, a former plant nursery owner and Master Gardener who has been volunteering in the area of plant care at the park, asked the board to consider a reprieve for the tree. She was given a tentative thumbs-up, which has led to a special "Save the Tree" meeting, under Tamminga's leadership, this Thursday, July 9 at 9 a.m. at the park's beach lodge. "I personally think the tree shouldn't come down," Tamminga told the Citizen. "It's not in as bad a shape as was painted by the arborist. It's got all its leaves, it's green and healthy -- it's just old! But it's still very strong." Tamminga hopes to raise funds, as part of a community effort, to erect a fence around the tree, something the park board told her it's open to. She was instructed by the board to come up with a plan in time for the next park board meeting, slated for Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the beach lodge, and then present it to the board

The Culver Park voted to accept the plan presented by the "Save Our Tree" group headed up by Ruth Tamminga and 9 other citizens who attended last week's "Tree" meeting at which they devised a plan and presented it to the Park Board on Monday, 13 July 2015

All monies received from donations to the "Save Our Tree" effort will be sent to the Culver Park P.O. Box 189, Culver IN 46511. The Park Superintendent, Marc Hayden will take them to his park office in the beach lodge. The correspodence will remained sealed until Ruth Tamminga opens and records the donation information at which time she will take the donations to Town Hall and they will be deposited in the Park Gift Fund by Town Clerk Karen Heim. The Park Board will then work with the "Tree" group to complete their plan.

Also a special online Gofundme campaign has been launched by Kyle Sefchek to hoepfully raise $8000. for fencing and landscaping.

2015, Oct 22 - The long-planned fencing around the historic weeping mulberry tree in Culver’s town park was installed recently, thanks to donations from community members who rallied to prevent its destruction, which had been planned this summer, as well as the efforts of a local committee which spearheaded fund-raising and was led by, among others, Ruth Tamminga . At RIGHT, Lee Swihart and his son Brayton from All Star Builders install the fence, which is aimed at protecting both the tree and youngsters who might climb it

	Weeping WHite Mulberry Morus alba "Pendula' This mulberry tree has provided beauty and shade for residents and visitors to Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee for over a century. Historical potographs indicate it dates back to the early days of the orginal Vandalia ailroad depot bulit is 1883 where visitors arrived and waited for steamboats during the halcyon days of the lake tourism.
An effort to save and preserve this tree was undertaken in 2015 with many caring people donating to erect its protective fence.