Submitting samples for microscopic examination

Materials:

To start, you will need a manila envelope, cardboard, and paper towels.

Recommended minimum size is 9” x 12” for the manila envelope. For that size cut cardboard to about 7” x 11”.

Sampling:

To take a sample , cut off a 12-14” section of twig from the end of a branch that includes the biggest mature leaves. It’s extremely important to include the mature large leaves, preferably from the sunny side of the tree. Please choose leaves that are healthy without fungal or insect damage if possible.

(morus/alba hybrid shown here for example)

Sample part A: Mature Leaves - Cut twig into sections so one mature leaf is on each piece of twig. Please include a minimum of 2 mature leaves, with 4 being preferable if it fits into your envelop.

Sample part B: Growing Tip - Please include first 6” length of twig with smaller leaves if possible. No need to cut into sections.

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Align the leaves to fit onto a piece of paper towel and cardboard that fits into your manila envelop. Keep the leaves as flat as possible. Multiple layers can be stacked with a paper in between each layer.

The petiole (which connects the leaf to the twig) is extremely important. Cut twigs into sections to fit in the envelope, do not cut the petiole or leaves.

Stack the growing tip onto it’s own layer above the other leaves with a paper towel in between.

The finished setup will look like a sandwich of cardboard, paper tower, leaves, paper towel, and then cardboard again as shown to the right.

(each additional layer of leaves requires another paper towel to separate the layer).

Place into the large paper envelope. Download and fill out the Sample Submission Form at the bottom of this page and place into the manila envelop with the samples.

Ship cheapest way per instructions on the Submission Form. Do not use a bubble mailer or plastic envelope as they cannot breath and the leaves will not dry properly.

Please do not ship expedited, just regular shipping is fine as it will take a couple weeks for us to get to the samples. 

Please download, print, and complete the below Mulberry Sample Submission Form along with your sample.

Optional

We Encourage the use of TreeSnap for pictures. This helps researchers track trees for scientific data collection and is an easy way for us to see pictures of our tree to help with identification and give us more information for later review.

Pictures most useful for upload are:

Mature Bark
Twigs & Stems
Leaf Buds
Leaf Scars
Whole Leaf w/ Petiole Leaf Upper Surface
Leaf Lower Surface
Fruit Individual or Clusters