paper mulberry

American  

noun

1. a mulberry tree, Broussonetia papyrifera, of eastern Asia, having alternate leaves that vary in size, round catkins, and orange-red fruit, grown widely as a shade tree.

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paper mulberry British  

noun

1. a small moraceous E Asian tree, Broussonetia papyrifera, the inner bark of which was formerly used for making paper in Japan See also tapa

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Etymology

Origin of paper mulberry

First recorded in 1770–80; so called because its bark is used to make paper

Example Sentences

That problem is largely attributed to paper mulberry trees, which were planted extensively during the city's early development.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

A garden on the Rue Vivienne side has been planted with species reminiscent of the book: paper mulberry, paper birch, Chinese palm.

From New York Times • Oct. 14, 2022

Claire’s white station wagon, with two people in it, was stopped under the paper mulberry tree.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt

On 141,000 other acres there grew 115,000,000 pounds of paper mulberry and Mitsumata, materials used in the manufacture of paper.

From Farmers of Forty Centuries; Or, Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea, and Japan by King, F. H. (Franklin Hiram)

The paper mulberry is so called because in China and Japan--of which it is a native--its bark is manufactured into paper.

From Among the Trees at Elmridge by Church, Ella Rodman