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What is this tree?
What is this tree in our garden please? We have not pruned it since we moved in but have noticed this year that the inner branches seem dead or at least have not flowered any blossom or leaves. If it isn't a very clear photo t has what resembles small raspberries as the fruit.
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Could be a mulberry.
Yes, I think you are right as the berries turn black afterwards. They make an awful mess on the grass. Why would the inner branches not produce any blossom or leaves this year? Should we prune these back? We need to do a hard prune at the end of the Summer anyway.
Yes a mulberry, Probably Morus nigra, Black mulberry. If it is this the fruits are delicious, very messy to eat but delicious.
How can I prune this, as all the fruit and leaves seem to be growing at the end of the branches? I am concerned that if i prune the branches I am cutting off next years growth. The dead branches are fine and easy to prune but I do not want no growth next year by pruning the ends. Thanks in advance
Hi All. I am still struggling to know whether I should prune this Mulberry tree please? All the flowers etc are blooming at the ends of the branches. I am concerned that when/if I prune it at the end of the Summer I will loose all flowers etc for next season. Some branches are completely dead, but it does need pruning quite considerably but because the previous owner didn't manage it very well I am concerned it has been left to grow too wild.
After removing the dead branches why not prune back one third of the branches and leave the others. that way you are guaranteed fruit from two thirds of the tree and you can see how the rest of the tree responds to pruning.
Thanks. So basically just thin out the tree but do not cut the ends is that what you mean? The leaves are on the last third of the branches and at some point will need pruning. Does fruit etc ever grow back on what is currently bare branches?
To be on the safe side it might best to ensure that the branches you prune back still have some leaves on them. If the tree is very old it maybe that it will not regenerate if cut beyond this. Most deciduous trees would sprout out if pruned right back but mulberries are not related to our native broadleaves [in the Fig family] so might react differently.
If you scroll down on this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2008/01/08/pruning_feature.shtml you'll find a Q&A about pruning old mulberry trees, which I think will answer your question.
Hope that's helpful
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Ah brill thanks. That link is perfect. I expected this as pruning it I felt sure would finish it off for good. I get annoyed when we move house at the previous owners don't keep track of pruning trees and bushes in their gardens and then long term causes problems like this.