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Mulberry (Morus spp.) 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. Some have red fruit while others produce tasty purple or white fruit.
A fruitless cultivar exists for those not interested in those yummy, messy berries. Mulberry trees can reach 30 to 70 feet tall (9-21 m.) depending on the species. They are fantastic shade trees. Due to their quick growth, pruning mulberry trees is often necessary.
Proper mulberry tree pruning techniques depend on your landscape goals. If you want to create a shady spot that provides food and shelter for birds as well as biomass for your compost bin, only cut out small, dead, diseased, crossed-over and oddly oriented branches.
In this case, mulberry trimming can be done every two to three years. If your primary goal is fruit production for human consumption, then mulberry trimming should be done every year to control size and to keep most of the fruit within easy reach.
Note that mulberries bloom and fruit on the previous year’s growth, so extensive pruning will reduce fruit production.
Pruning mulberry trees that are too large for their space is often executed via a technique called pollarding. With pollarding, all the smaller branches are removed annually to a selected area on larger scaffold branches.
I don’t like to recommend pollarding because it is most often done wrong. When the pollard form of mulberry tree pruning is done incorrectly, it can leave a tree that is unsafe, ugly, and prone to disease.
Mulberry trees are fast-growing, deciduous trees that produce sweet, juicy fruits throughout the summer. With their rapid growth rate, mulberry trees require regular pruning to maintain their health, control their size, and maximize fruit yield. Knowing when to prune mulberry trees is key to getting the most out of these versatile landscape specimens.
Why Pruning is Important for Mulberry Trees
Pruning serves several important functions for mulberry trees:
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Removes dead, damaged, and diseased branches, improving tree health.
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Thins out overcrowded branches allowing sunlight and air to penetrate the canopy.
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Controls the height and spread of the tree to suit its allotted space.
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Optimizes fruit yield by maintaining an open yet sturdy structure,
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Makes fruit easier to harvest by keeping it within reach.
Without regular pruning, mulberry trees can become wild, tangled messes strewn with dead wood and prone to breakage. Pruning encourages controlled, sturdy growth and abundant fruit production.
When is the Best Time to Prune Mulberry Trees?
Mulberry trees should be pruned in late winter, during their dormant period after leaf drop. The ideal pruning time is January to March. Pruning during dormancy has several advantages:
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Minimizes stress on the tree when metabolism is low
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Allows the pruner to clearly see the branching structure without leaves obscuring it.
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Reduces sap bleeding from cut branches.
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Lessens chance of disease transmission since few fungi and bacteria are active.
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Gives the tree time to heal cuts before spring growth begins.
Pruning mulberry trees while dormant sets them up for vigorous regrowth and abundant fruiting in summer.
Signs Your Mulberry Tree Needs Pruning
How do you know if your mulberry tree is due for a pruning? Watch for these indications:
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Dead, damaged, or diseased branches – Prune these out immediately whenever noticed.
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Crossing/rubbing branches – Branches that rub together may lead to wounds and disease.
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Narrow crotch angles – Wide angles add strength. Narrow angles are weaker and prone to splitting.
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Overcrowding – Excessive branches block light penetration and airflow.
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Excessive height/spread – Prune to control size and maintain fruiting wood.
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Difficult fruit harvest – Keep mature trees pruned to 8-15 feet for easy picking.
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Lack of new growth – Pruning rejuvenates and stimulates new growth.
If your mulberry exhibits any of these issues, it’s time to prune!
Pruning Young vs. Mature Mulberry Trees
The pruning method depends largely on the tree’s age:
Young trees – Allow young mulberry trees to grow with minimal pruning in years 1-3. Remove only dead or damaged branches. Start structured pruning in year 4 to establish the mature form.
Mature trees – Annually prune mature mulberry trees during dormancy. Remove no more than 25% of the canopy at one time to avoid shock. Make judicious thinning cuts to open the canopy and remove problem branches.
Overgrown trees – Severely overgrown mulberries may need rejuvenation pruning over 2-3 years to gradually get them back in shape. Again, limit to 25% removal per year.
Adjust pruning intensity based on the tree’s condition and age. Be conservative initially; you can always remove more later.
What Tools Do You Need to Prune Mulberry Trees?
Pruning mulberry trees is easiest with the right high-quality tools:
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Hand pruners – For cutting stems under 2.5 cm diameter.
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Loppers – For cutting stems 2.5-5 cm diameter.
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Saws – For cutting larger branches over 5 cm diameter.
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Pole saw/pruner – For accessing high branches from the ground.
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Disinfectant – For sanitizing tools between trees.
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Gloves – For hand protection. Mulberry sap can irritate skin.
Investing in professional tools like ARS or Felco makes pruning faster and cleaner. Clean all tools before and after each use.
How to Prune a Mulberry Tree
Follow these steps for pruning mulberry trees:
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Disinfect tools before starting.
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Identify and remove all dead, damaged, and diseased wood.
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Thin out branches that rub or cross to open up interior.
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Remove suckers and waterspouts sprouting from the trunk.
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Shorten selected branches by 1/3 to control height and encourage new fruiting wood.
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Remove inward-facing branches shaded from light.
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Open up the canopy but leave a healthy network of productive fruiting wood.
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Make final cuts just outside branch collars without leaving stubs.
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Disinfect tools after finishing.
Proceed carefully and deliberately when pruning mulberries. Never remove more than 25% of the canopy in one year. Spread major renovations over several years.
Pruning Mulberry Trees into a Modified Central Leader
The modified central leader form is ideal for mulberry trees. It features a dominant central trunk with lateral scaffold branches growing outwards in a spiral pattern.
To train young mulberries into this form, prune as follows:
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Maintain the central leader as the primary vertical trunk.
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Select 3-5 wide-angled lateral branches spaced evenly up the central leader as permanent scaffolds.
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Prune secondary branches growing from the scaffolds to about 1/3 their length to encourage fruiting spurs.
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Remove inward-growing branches shaded from light.
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Keep scaffold branches spaced apart for an open, spreading canopy allowing light penetration.
The modified central leader form maximizes light exposure for abundant fruiting on an orderly branching framework.
Avoiding Common Mulberry Pruning Mistakes
It’s easy for pruning to go wrong if proper technique isn’t followed:
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Never remove more than 25% of the total canopy at once. This can send the tree into shock.
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Don’t leave branch stubs. Prune to just outside the branch collar for quick healing.
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Avoid pruning cuts larger than 5 cm diameter when possible. These are slow to heal and prone to disease.
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Don’t prune heavily right after planting. Allow young trees time to establish first.
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Don’t prune spring-summer just after leaf emergence. Stick to dormant pruning.
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Disinfect tools before using to prevent disease transmission.
Learn proper pruning methods and sparingly remove only what’s necessary. It’s better to be conservative than overly zealous when pruning mulberries.
Pruning Neglected, Overgrown Mulberry Trees
Mulberry trees are forgiving and respond well to rejuvenation pruning. To restore an overgrown, neglected tree:
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Prune over 2-3 years, removing no more than 25% per year.
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Shorten long, leggy branches by a third to encourage new fruiting wood.
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Thin congested areas to improve light exposure.
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Cut to just outside branch collars, not into them.
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Disinfect tools before working on each branch.
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Allow open wounds time to callous before further pruning.
With patience, even the most unruly mulberry tree can be whipped back into shape through careful rejuvenation pruning over successive years. The result will be a re-energized, productive specimen.
Pruning is a critical but often-overlooked task for maintaining healthy, fruitful mulberry trees. Dormant winter pruning removes problem branches and stimulates new growth and fruiting wood. With the right tools and techniques, pruning can be accomplished with minimal stress or risk to the tree. Keep mulberries pruned to a modified central leader form for optimal durability, light exposure, and fruit production over their lifespan.
How to Prune a Mulberry Tree
If you are wondering how to prune a mulberry tree, start with sharp, clean tools. Do not struggle while cutting through a branch. If this happens, your tool is too small. Use a hand pruner for cuts under 6 inches (15 cm.) and loppers for cuts 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm.). You can also use a good saw for cuts 1 inch (2.5 cm.) and larger. Try not to cut branches larger than 2 inches (2.5 cm.) in diameter.
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, disease, and heart rot. 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. Always cut the smaller branches back to their base on the scaffold.
A round callused knob will form over the years. Always cut to the knob but not into it. Do not leave a stub that is more than ½ inch (1 cm.) at the knob. Do some research on pollarding before you cut the tree. If you inherit a large tree that was pollarded in the past but not maintained properly over the years, hire a certified arborist to get it back into shape.
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Prune Mulberry Trees like Crazy and They’ll Thrive (Here’s How)
FAQ
What is the best time to prune a mulberry tree?
Caring for a mulberry tree
Prune in late winter when the tree is dormant, cutting it back hard to an ‘open vase’ framework. It can also be trellised to a fence or sturdy support to keep the size manageable and make it easier to harvest. A light prune in summer will also help control excessive growth.
How do you prune an overgrown mulberry tree?
- First, remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches.
- Remove crossing branches.
- Then look at the overall structure. Make as few cuts as possible. …
- Cut back some of the 1-2 year old wood.
Do mulberries fruit on old or new wood?
A grafted mulberry will begin flowering and fruiting it’s first or second year because it skips the juvenile phase by using the mature wood of an older tree. If you grow a fruit from seed it will produce a tree different from its parent, just like every kid is different from their parent.
How many times does a mulberry tree produce fruit?
Fruit production begins when the trees are 4 to 10 years old. They will continue to produce fruit when they are 30 to 85 years old. Good seed crops are produced every 2 to 3 years. Mature fruits can be picked from the trees from April to June.