This tree species is native to central and northern China. It has been cultivated throughout China for thousands of years as the only food source for the silkworm Bombyx mori and is widely cultivated globally. It is naturalised in various countries and is considered to be invasive, for example, in the US and South Africa. It has been suggested that the species originated on the low slopes of the Himalayas bordering China and India. The current extent of the wild population is uncertain and likely to be difficult to determine without extensive sampling and genetic analysis. However given its wide range, ecological adaptability and lack of known threats to trees in the wild this species is assessed as Least Concern. More information is needed on the actual range and population size for the species in the wild.

This species is native to central and northern China. It has been cultivated throughout China for thousands of years and is widely cultivated globally. It is naturalised in various countries and is considered to be invasive for example in the US and South Africa (CABI 2021). It has been suggested that the species originated on the low slopes of the Himalayas bordering China and India (Bajpai et al 2014). The extent of the wild population is uncertain and likely to be difficult to determine without extensive sampling and genetic analysis.

The extent of the native population is unknown. It has been suggested that the species originated on the low slopes of the Himalayas bordering China and India and genetic differentiation between subpopulations in this region has been studied (Bajpai et al 2014).

This species occurs in deciduous forests. It is widely cultivated and naturalised.

Pests and diseases impact negatively on cultivated trees of this species which could impact on wild stands.

White mulberry is of major economic importance, cultivated in many countries as the only food source for the silkworm Bombyx mori. It has a range of other uses including fodder for domesticated animals, medicinal uses, applications in the food and cosmetic industries and the bark is used to make textiles and paper. The wood is utilised, for example, for furniture and construction and as a fuel. This species is grown to restore degraded lands and for bioremediation (Rohela et al 2020). It is widely available as a garden plant cultivated as an ornamental and for its edible fruit.

Morus alba var. multicaulis is recorded as Least Concern in China (Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection 2013). It is not known if the native wild population occurs in any protected areas. Research is required to determine  the extent of the native range of this species distinguishing between wild, naturalised and cultivated trees. Extensive work is being carried out to conserve genetic resources of this important commercial crop species (Vijayan 2020). The national mulberry gene bank of the Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Zhenjiang, China is the predominant gene bank. Japan, India and Korea also maintain extensive germplasm accessions.  Morus alba is recorded in 231 ex situ collections (BGCI 2021) with a wide range of cultivars also recorded in collections.