Mulberry

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If the mulberry tree is large enough - the heart wood will be something like golden teak in color. At least the Japanese mulberry wood is. I have a slab of mulberry and it is beautiful for turning bowls. I almost did not recognize it at the local home center because instead of turning gray when it weathers, it turns chocolate brown - except for the sap wood. A good finish will greatly slow the wood from turning.

I asked the fellows where I bought it what kind of wood it was and they said "looks like elm to me". I said "but it is brown." They replied "Well, it is a different kind of Elm." I finally figured out that it was mulberry by seeing that wood and color in two other stores - and the name is Kuwa (mulberry).

I also have a mulberry tree in my yard. It is messy but LOML made some mulberry jam for me.

For a pen, it depends on the grain pattern and the cut. It is always great to have something unique around. If I were you, I would save some wood for bowls, plates or vases. I have made one 10 inch diameter 2 1/2 in deep bowl from it and LOML loves it.
 
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I have some from a tree from my daughters yard that was badly damaged from hurricane Rita. The wood reminds me a lot of osage orange in color and grain pattern. I have some that has begun to spalt and has very interesting grain patterns. As lee said, save some larger pieces for bowls and vases.
 
The mulberry is a cousin to the Osage orange. Usually a lighter color and can have some interesting grain patterns. The smaller limbs about 1 1/2" in diameter can have some crazy grain. The crotch wood also can be awesome. At the same time there will be some that is real plain looking. Keep your chisels sharp!
 
I got one piece of Mulberry and made a bowl from it. The wood looks amazing, it has some wonderful chatoyance and a nice golden color.
 
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