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Pruning guide · Tree
Paper mulberry: when and how to prune
Broussonetia papyrifera
Paper mulberry is best pruned in January–February.
| Pruning months | January–February |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Outside it |
| Flowering | May–June |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Paper mulberry: when to prune it?
In January–February, when the tree is fully dormant and it is not freezing hard.
Paper mulberry: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, broken and crossing branches; cut frosted shoot tips back to live wood.
- Shorten overlong, brittle branches so they do not snap in wind or under the weight of the fruit.
- It tolerates hard pruning and regrows well from old wood; it can also be pollarded.
- Cut off suckers all year round, as close to the root as possible.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: January–February.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- The pruning months fall outside the nesting season (15 March–15 August), so you won’t disturb nesting birds.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Pruning releases white, sticky milky sap: wear gloves. Do not prune in spring, when the sap starts to rise.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Paper mulberry · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.