The Red Mulberry is a small to medium-sized tree which typically reaches heights of 6 to 18 m. The bark on mature trees is light brown with loose vertical plates. The leaves measure 8 to 24 cm in length; they are heart-shaped, roughly textured on the upper surface, and have a long tapered tip. The sap in the leaves is milky. The flowers are found in yellow-green to reddish, pendulous catkins. The edible cylindrical fruit is 2 to 3 cm in length, and turns deep red.