On further inspection, it appears that the version of this tree's origins might be a little different than I thought: John Evelyn, author of 'The Sylva or Discourse of Forest Trees' lived in Southover Grange as a child, where this tree can be found. It is by no means certain that there is a connection with Tradescant, however. In his Sylva, he writes of the White Mulberry: "They may also be propagated by graffing them on the black mulberry in Spring, or inoculated in July, taking the cyons from some old tree, that has broad, even, and round leaves, which causes it to produce very ample and tender leaves, of great emolument to the silk-master." This indicates that the presence of a Black Mulberry might not necessarily infer that silk was not the aim in sight.

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