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  • Mulberry trees on Visingsö

Mulberry trees on Visingsö

A historical remnant of a silk cultivation with 1500 trees

  • Mullberry trees
  • Historical remnant
  • Picnic spot
  • Visingsö

En silk cultivation on Visingsö

Explore the gnarled mulberry trees (mullbärsträden) on Visingsö, planted to cultivate silkworms in the 1830s. These trees are not typically found at this latitude.

In the 1700s, when everything from China was the height of fashion and the demand for silk was high, mulberry trees began to be planted around the country. The picky silkworms only eat the leaves of the mulberry tree.

It was around the same time that the oak forest began to be planted on Visingsö, that the more hardy variety of white mulberry (Morus alba) was also planted on the island. However, it was difficult to get the trees to survive and produce enough mulberry leaves, and the operation was discontinued in 1864.

The cultivation suffered from several problems; the trees were damaged by harsh winters, and in 1850 the plants were harmed by "rats and lemmings." There were also issues with the silkworms being affected by disease.

One year, the cultivation managed to produce a full 25 kg of silk cocoons, but it did not yield any significant amounts of silk.

At the mulberry trees on Visingsö, you have the opportunity to see the remnants of the once 1,500-tree silk cultivation.

Visingsö

Take the ferry from Gränna to Visingsö, a gem in Lake Vättern with stunning nature and a rich history tied to the powerful Brahe family. Don’t miss Brahe Church, home to a wealth of artistic treasures. The island is easy to explore by bike or by horse-drawn carriage – remmalag. Here, you're close to nature and can meet alpacas, go horseback riding, or paddle a kayak.

Good to know

  • Potable water: No
  • Wind protection/Shelter: No
  • Barbecue/picnic area: Yes, picnic table
  • Toilet: No
  • Accessibility: Good visibility from the parking lot, but it may be difficult to navigate between the trees with a wheelchair due to tree roots and tall grass.
  • Parking: Large parking area right next to the mulberry trees.

How to get here

You can reach the mulberry trees by bike, car, or the ÖA-svängen bus (bus 126) that runs on Visingsö.

Cycling is popular on Visingsö, and bikes are available for rent if you don't have your own.

The ferry to Visingsö departs from Gränna harbor. Then take the main road towards the southern part of the island. After about 4.5 kilometers (from the harbor), you will see the mulberry trees on the left side, and the parking lot is just before them.

The ferry to Visingsö departs from Gränna harbor. Then take the main road towards the southern part of the island. After about 4.5 kilometers (from the harbor), you will see the mulberry trees on the left side, and the parking lot is just before them.

The bus on Visingsö, ÖA-svängen (bus 126), stops at a bus stop about 100 meters from the mulberry trees. The stop is called Visingsö Stigby. The bus runs according to the timetable in summer but needs to be booked at other times of the year.

Timetable and tickets, visit jlt.se External link, opens in new window.

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