Foraging for Mulberries and Other Wild Berries in Ohio: A Forest Therapy Guide’s Invitation to Taste the Wild

A Peaceful Stroll into Summer

It’s early June, and I’m walking a wooded path near the Scioto River in central Ohio. The morning is quiet except for the chatter of birds and the gentle breeze moving through sycamore leaves. The air is thick with the smell of damp earth and honeysuckle. Then I see it — a mature mulberry tree leaning over the trail, its branches heavy with ripe purple fruit. I pause, pluck one, and let the sweet, tart juice linger. It’s like the forest just gave me a tiny, unexpected gift.

As a certified Forest Therapy Guide, I’ve come to cherish these spontaneous encounters with wild food. They feel personal, intimate — like the land saying, “You’re paying attention. Here’s something for the road.”

Why Forage?

More Than Just a Snack

Foraging is about more than gathering wild food. It’s about remembering that we belong to the land, not just live on it. Every time I stoop or reach to pick a berry, I’m reminded to slow down and pay attention — not just to what’s edible, but to everything: the light, the insects, the sent in the breeze.

Mindfulness in Action

There’s something incredibly meditative about berry picking. You can’t rush it. You have to look closely and feel the texture of the leaves. Perhaps you try a few samples as you go. It’s a full-body mindfulness practice in disguise.

Rebuilding Our Relationship With the Land

For many of us, nature has become something to visit rather than something we’re part of. Foraging offers a gentle way back into relationship. It reminds us that the land still provides — and that we can receive it with respect, curiosity, and gratitude.

The Spirit of Forest Therapy

What Is Forest Therapy?

Forest Therapy, or forest bathing, comes from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku. It’s not about hiking or even exercise — it’s about simply being in the forest, slowing down, and opening up your senses. No destination, no agenda.

As a guide, I often lead people through simple invitations like “Notice what’s in motion” or “Follow a sound.” When we move at this pace, we start to really see the world around us. And the berries? They’re just a delicious bonus.

Foraging as Forest Bathing

Foraging naturally taps into the same principles. You’re moving slowly, eyes scanning the understory. You’re touching leaves, smelling crushed herbs, tasting fruits. All your senses are engaged. It’s hard to worry about your to-do list when you’re crouched down trying to decide if that berry is ripe or just almost there.

Wild Berries of Ohio: What to Look For (And When)

Mulberries (Morus rubra & Morus alba)

Season: Late May to early July
Where: Trail edges, fence lines, near creeks, and disturbed areas

Mulberries were my first foraging love. They grow on trees, not bushes, and drop fruit so generously that you’ll often see purple stains on sidewalks below them. Red mulberries (native) are more complex in flavor, while white mulberries (introduced) are often sweeter but less intense. Both are edible and worth sampling.

Tip: Lay a blanket or tarp under the tree and give a branch a gentle shake. You’ll have a feast in seconds — no thorny stems to navigate.

Black Raspberries (Rubus occidentalis)

Season: Mid-June through early July
Where: Sunny edges, old fields, abandoned lots, forest margins

Often confused with blackberries, black raspberries are hollow inside when picked — like a tiny hat. Their canes arch gracefully and are covered in bloom (a pale, waxy coating). The flavor? Tangy, sweet, and concentrated.

Pro Tip: Bring gloves or long sleeves — they’ve got thorns, and they mean business. And always pick the darkest ones; unripe berries are mouth-puckeringly tart.

Other Hidden Gems

Dewberries: Low-growing cousins of blackberries — look along trailsides
Serviceberries: Small trees with blueberry-like fruit; sweet and mild
Wild Strawberries: Tiny, aromatic, and incredibly rewarding if you find them

One July afternoon last year, I sat on a log and watched an ant struggle to carry a mulberry half its size across the forest floor. That kind of observation only happens when you’re still long enough to notice. It reminds me of the saying, “Nature reveals itself in silence and stillness”.

Foraging With Care

Safety First

Always know what you're picking. When in doubt, leave it out.
Use a field guide or trusted plant ID apps like Seek or PictureThis
Dress smart: Long pants, tick checks, water, and sunscreen
Respect the land: Follow local laws and foraging regulations. Don’t forget to give in some way. Perhaps pick up trash on the trail or volunteer to plant trees in your community

Foraging Ethics

Take only what you need
Leave plenty for birds, bears, and fellow foragers
Don’t damage plants or uproot them
Harvest with gratitude — it really changes the experience

Enjoying Your Wild Harvest

Trailside Snacks and Simple Treats

Sometimes, the best way to enjoy wild berries is right there on the spot. But if you do take some home:

Freeze them for smoothies or winter teas
Infuse them into vinegars or honey
Bake them into muffins, cobblers, or pies
Make jam with just a few ingredients (berries, lemon, sugar)

The Deeper Nourishment

There’s something undeniably joyful about eating something you picked yourself. Beyond the antioxidants and nutrients, it feeds the spirit. It reminds us that abundance doesn’t always come from a store — sometimes it comes from a quiet patch of woods.

Join Me in the Forest

If you’re in Ohio and curious about foraging or Forest Therapy walks, I host seasonal experiences that blend both. We move slowly, listen deeply, and yes — sometimes come home with berry-stained fingers and full hearts.

Feel free to reach out or check local nature centers and state parks for guided walks and foraging events.

BOOK a guided walk with us today!

A Sweet Goodbye

So next time you’re on a wooded trail in Ohio, look up. Look down. Listen. Taste. Maybe — just maybe — the forest will offer you a little sweetness too.

“The next time you walk a wooded path in Ohio, may you find sweetness hanging just overhead — and remember, the wild is always offering something delicious when we slow down and listen.”

Foraging for Mulberries and Other Wild Berries in Ohio: A Forest Therapy Guide’s Invitation to Taste the Wild