Removal of any fruiting, weeping or other types should be considered. Just avoid pruning branches that are over 2 inches in diameter, since Mulberry trees have a hard time healing large cuts. are notoriously known for dropping staining fruits onto walkways and nearby vehicles with their long, outstretched branches. There are three types of mulberries commonly grown in the United States. If you have been following pollarding technique, then you need to continue the same. When cutting off a small dead area, cut the piece back to the closest part of the branch that is still alive. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Mulberries need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. Prune your mulberry tree. It is not very difficult to prune them, provided you select the appropriate timing and the technique for it. This article has been viewed 38,155 times. This will ensure that the tree is actually dormant. Other species and named varieties: M. macroura ‘Shatoot’ – smaller growing mulberry tree with long white fruit. Contain anti inflammatory properties. References. You can also trim the height of the branches, which will make it easier to harvest fruit. Pruning trees in pollard form should be started when the tree is quite young and the scaffold branches have grown to the height you wish for in the canopy. I don’t like to recommend pollarding because it is most often done wrong. You can prune your fruitless mulberry now. Always cut to the knob but not into it. Pruning helps them keep a good shape. Prune the weeping mulberry severely back to its main branches in the winter or late fall. The genus name Morus is the Latin word for mulberry and the species name nigra means black. Mulberry Trimming. A mulberry tree that is overgrowing its space may need a pollarding technique to control size, but it’s probably better to have this done professionally. This pruning should be done at the right time of year and on the right places on the tree to ensure that the fruit is plentiful and accessible to you. unlocking this expert answer. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you prune when the tree is in its dormancy, bleeding is less severe. Always cut the smaller branches back to their base on the scaffold. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. % of people told us that this article helped them. trees are fast-growing, deciduous trees known for their variable leaf shapes, their delicious berries, and the terrible stains those berries can make if they hit the sidewalk rather than someone’s mouth. Mulberry’s are very invasive and only the non-fruiting types should be planted. If, on the other hand, you wish to keep the mulberry compact, remove any upward growth, maintaining the height to you desire. Pruning wil help keep your tree tidy and healthy and make for an easier harvest. They are mainly grown for their edible fruits. Karen asks about maintenance pruning on mulberry trees: “Hi David, Love your site! Just be aware that the cut may bleed sap for weeks or even months, which is common with mulberry trees. The shape it takes on if left unattended is often the shape that suits it best, it will be beautiful! You might like a bit more tree than us, but nevertheless trim out weak growth. Mulberry trees can reach 30-70 feet tall (9-21 m.) depending on the species. They are all deciduous and grow between 30 and 70 feet tall, depending on the species. The growers say most people pick and prune mulberry trees incorrectly Four years ago Peter Lynch started thinking about retirement and found inspiration as birds flocked to his backyard mulberry tree. Whether you want a full and large shade tree or a productive fruit tree, you should trim off dead or damaged branches as soon as possible. Nutritional Value. Summer trimming is more likely to encourage sap seeping from the cuts. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Mulberry trees can reach 30-70 feet tall (9-21 m.) depending on the species. Ideal shade tree, large and stately ornamental tree. If this happens, your tool is too small. Mulberry Pruning and the Bearing of Fruit. You will have to prune the tree again in the spring to reshape the tree. Pruning. With pollarding, all the smaller branches are removed annually to a selected area on larger scaffold branches. Do not plant where tree will drop fruit onto concrete paths or driveways as the fruit will stain. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? With some thought about how and when to prune your mulberry, you will have an attractive and productive tree for years to come. and larger. This article has been viewed 38,155 times. Once you’ve removed damaged branches, you can prune for size and shape. We prune our mulberry very hard every winter to keep it contained, and to ensure that the fruit is reachable without a ladder. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It doesn’t have to be! Use a hand pruner for cuts under 6 inches (15 cm.) Mulberry trimming should not be done on large branches unless you accept the fact that large wounds don’t heal very quickly and leave open the door for pests and disease and heart rot. Avoid cuts of more than 2 inches, which will not heal. Don't cut too much as it is bleeding to cut the blackberries. Adulting 101: Learn How to Raise Your Credit Score. Mulberry (Morus spp.) wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. When the temperature is under 50 F. (10 C.), it is harder for the tree to seal off its wounds. This will allow you easy access to the fruit that develops in the tree's canopy. Do not leave a stub that is more than ½ inch (1 cm.) You should complete your pruning before the buds begin to expand enough to show color. This is less likely for cuts made during winter but may still occur. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. I inherited my mom’s place in Citrus County Fl. I inherited my mom’s place in Citrus County Fl. Mulberry trees (Morus spp.) Mulberry trees are deciduous trees that are fast growing and bear edible fruit. For cooking, pick the fruit slightly under-ripe. They are fantastic shade trees. in diameter. To learn how to prune your Mulberry tree in summer, read more from our Gardening co-author! What is the life expectancy of a fruitless mulberry tree? Avoid pruning in mid-summer to allow the tree to set for the upcoming year’s fruit buds. Some have red fruit while others produce tasty purple or white fruit. This will encourage new and stronger growth and will help the tree to achieve the best shape. Pruning is an important part of proper tree care, but many people find the task overwhelming. Mulberry trees are one of my very favorite fruit trees, providing a huge amount of berries for very little work. With this in mind, Victor wrote me to ask about pruning mulberry trees … Mulberry is a genus of deciduous trees that are commonly found in the temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. A good time for mulberry trimming is in spring prior to the buds turning green. Incorrect pruning to reduce the size of a tree can result in your tree being damaged and unattractive, or becoming susceptible to disease. You can also use a good saw for cuts 1 inch (3 cm.) If you need to prune your tree in anyway, you should do so in the winter months, as your tree will bleed during the times when the sap is rising, and you don't want that. Eliminate one so that the other can thrive. Once you’ve removed damaged branches, you can prune for size and shape. If you want to alter the shape of a weeping mulberry tree, then it is best to prune it when it’s fairly young. Due to their quick growth, pruning mulberry trees is often necessary. If you are wondering how to prune a mulberry tree, start with sharp, clean tools. Try not to cut branches larger than 2 inches (3 cm.) If your Mulberry tree is overcrowded, trim off branches that cross each other or interfere with each other’s growth. Trim to affect size. This occurs just before the buds finally open. When you prune your tree, use clean lopper shears to cut off any visibly dead or damaged branches. Note that mulberries bloom and fruit on the previous year’s growth, so extensive pruning will reduce fruit production. Wait to prune your mulberry until about a month after it has lost all of its leaves. Pruning is quite essential to ensure that the tree takes an appealing shape and stature. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Prune-a-Mulberry-Tree-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-a-Mulberry-Tree-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Prune-a-Mulberry-Tree-Step-1.jpg\/aid9511387-v4-728px-Prune-a-Mulberry-Tree-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"