{"id":11315,"date":"2022-01-15T10:40:23","date_gmt":"2022-01-15T10:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=11315"},"modified":"2022-12-30T10:39:32","modified_gmt":"2022-12-30T10:39:32","slug":"how-to-prune-a-mulberry-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-prune-a-mulberry-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Prune A Mulberry Tree {Explained!}"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mulberry trees can make an excellent addition to a garden with their dense foliage and attractive large green leaves. They are a good shade tree and have the added advantage of producing berries, which are often edible.  Mulberry trees require little care, but pruning is important to keep the tree in good shape. In this article, we will be looking at how to prune a mulberry tree without damaging its health.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Prune Mulberry Trees?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We used to have a mulberry tree in the middle of a large paved area in our yard. It was perfect on hot summer days, as it provided plenty of welcome shade. The tree had been pollarded before we owned the property, so we continued with the practice to maintain the tree’s size and shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would, however, suggest that pollarding is a rather harsh step to take, and a hard pruning is better if you want to maintain the tree’s long-term health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulberry trees are quite able to take a severe haircut if it is done at the right time of year. In fact, if you plant your mulberry when it is just a young sapling, it\u2019s possible to maintain it at the level of a shrub. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tools and Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may require the following tools and equipment to effectively prune your mulberry trees, depending on their age and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Hand pruners<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Loppers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Pruning saw<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Chainsaw<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Clean rags to disinfect tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Sharpening stone to sharpen blades<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Shrub Pruning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To maintain your mulberry as a shrub, it must still be very young. You need to cut the central leader (trunk) back to between 4 \u00bd to 5 \u00bd feet in height. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The cut should be made directly above some strong side branches.  These branches provide the framework for the shrub, and ideally, you want around eight to ten growing at a wide, open angle away from the main leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You\u2019re looking to create an open V-shaped bush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Additional pruning will need to be carried out annually to ensure the shrub maintains a good height and shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Basic Mulberry Tree Pruning Technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    During pruning, mulberry trees often bleed sap where the cuts are made. Even if you prune the tree while it is dormant some bleeding may still occur. Any cuts that are more than a few inches in size won\u2019t heal quickly because the bleeding keeps the wound open. This means disease and pests can enter the tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you have to take off larger branches, seal the cut with a pruning sealer. This acts like a plaster to prevent disease and pests from entering the tree through the open wound. It can be found at garden stores or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After the tree has grown beyond the sapling stage, try to avoid cutting the larger main branches. The overall shape should ideally be set when the tree is young. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Branches that have grown too long, need trimming back to a better length. Take out the majority of small branches that are growing into the center of the tree. This allows more light in and lets fruits ripen, and enables you to access the center of the tree more easily to harvest.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At the very least, when pruning your mulberry tree, you want to remove all the dead and diseased branches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Next, take a look at the overall shape of the tree and remove any branches that cross or touch each other or that are growing directly up or directly down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Sterilize all cutting tools using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Remove dead or diseased wood. Ensuring you clean tools regularly to prevent disease spread.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Look at the overall shape and remove branches that spoil the appearance of the tree.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Remove the small branches from the center of the tree to encourage an open cup shape.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Remove the ends of the branches to reduce the height and spread.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              In this video, you will see the technique of pruning mulberry trees for fruiting: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
              https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=myiBn0J1ENg<\/a>