The mulberry tree was dubbed as the "Eastern divine tree" in the Compendium of Materia Medica compiled by Chinese medical expert Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Throughout the long history of China, it has played a significant role in the planting industry and raising of silkworms, and contributed greatly to the formation of the ancient Silk Road and the sericulture culture. It is a key driving force of agricultural civilization.

In April 2018, the ancient mulberry tree grove in Xiajin county, Shandong province, was listed on the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Since then, the mulberry cultivation industry and tourism in Xiajin county have embarked on a path of fast development.