Mulberry tree

[Moley]

Ive was asked to take a look at a friends Mulberry tree earlier this week and give an opinion on whether it needs anything doing to it. The tree in question is fairly old but appears to be in good health with little dead wood in the canopy. It appears to have been cut back fairly heavily several years ago which has resulted in a fairly dense and bushy crown. I sugested a light canopy thinning but am unsure when would be the best time of year to do so. He doesnt want to adversely affect this years fruit crop although I did warn him that this may be unavoidable. Any opinions would be appreciated as I've never had to do anything with one of these.

Edited April 15, 2010 by Steve Bullman

[alliaria]

Hi,

Early Winter, according to George Brown.

[armchairarborist]

about 2mths after leafdrop, well into dormancy period or it will bleed forever, they tend not to need much pruning just deadwooding. nice fruit though..

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

mulberries tend to get overly heavy limbs that fail, quite a soft wood and doesnt like big wounds. i would always try to keep lever arms to within sensible limits and gentle pruning during dormant period.

 

they often have poor developed root systems which makes them often a leaning species or even laying down and growing from that position!

 

keeping end wieght and density down helps.

[slack ma girdle]

mulberries tend to get overly heavy limbs that fail, quite a soft wood and doesnt like big wounds. i would always try to keep lever arms to within sensible limits and gentle pruning during dormant period.

 

they often have poor developed root systems which makes them often a leaning species or even laying down and growing from that position!

 

keeping end wieght and density down helps.

 

:dito:

[Moley]

Cheers guys. That'll have to bebooked in for later in the year. Ill post some pics once its done as it is a cracking little tree. Never had the fruit but have had differing reports about them.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

nice fruit, there is a cross with this and something else, called a logan berry, very nice too

[alliaria]

Hi,

Loganberries are a cross between two Rubus Sp. a Raspberry and a Blackberry i think.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Hi,

Loganberries are a cross between two Rubus Sp. a Raspberry and a Blackberry i think.

 

im sure somone crossed the mullberry too?