MULBERRY 79 



Mulberry 



(Morus nigrd) 



MULBERRY gardens were formed both at St. 

 James's Park and Greenwich Park in 1609 by 

 order of James I, but the single remaining tree on 

 each of these sites, though in one case labelled as 

 having been planted at the instigation of that monarch, 

 is evidently of no great antiquity, and, judging by 

 comparison, can hardly be considered as either the 

 largest or oldest of those at present growing within 

 the Metropolitan area. With the exception of the 

 trees at Charlton, those in Clissold and Ruskin Parks, 

 and the grand old specimen in front of Mildmay 

 Conference Hall, it is unlikely that many of the 

 Mulberries which were planted at the command of 

 that monarch are now in existence in London. 



By careful comparison of size with that of existing 

 specimens whose ages are known, and taking into 

 consideration the general condition of the tree and 

 the quality of the soil in which it is growing, it is quite 

 possible to arrive at a fairly accurate estimate of the 

 age. Tradition and a label attached point to one of 

 the old shattered trees at Charlton Park, Blackheath, 

 the residence of Sir Spencer Mary on- Wilson, as the 

 first Mulberry brought to England, and certainly 

 when the above points of comparison are taken into 

 account there would appear to be substantial grounds 

 for the statement. The largest tree, which has 

 suffered much from storms, having lost the upper 

 part of the stem in consequence, is still of giant pro- 

 portions, the trunk girthing 8 feet 7 inches at 3 feet 

 from the ground-level, the greatest height being 



