Survives zone 7 through 9
Fig excellent; black mulberry rich and superb; che (Maclura) BLAND and insipid — a curiosity.
Fertilizing. Adapted to lean, well-drained arid soils; needs minimal supplemental feeding, and rich soil or heavy fertilizing raises the risk of root rot in anything less than sharply drained sites.
How it spreads. Naturally grows as a much-branched, multi-stemmed shrub rather than throwing up suckers or self-seeding readily; stays clump-forming rather than spreading.
Growing tips. Prone to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soil — drainage matters more than fertility. In marginal zones (7a and colder) it can freeze back to the ground in hard winters and regrow from the base the following season, so a deep mulch over the root zone is worthwhile through winter.