Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Fruit tree
White mulberry: when and how to prune
Morus alba
White mulberry is best pruned in November–January.
| Pruning months | November–January |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Outside it |
| Flowering | May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
White mulberry: when to prune it?
Only when fully dormant, in November–January.
Prune while dormant, from November to March, but not in freezing weather.
What else to prune in those months? January · November · December
White mulberry: how to prune it?
- Prune little, and mainly when young: remove crossing and low-hanging branches.
- It also tolerates formal training: cut a roof-shaped tree or espalier back to its frame every winter.
- Avoid sawing off thick branches: large wounds heal slowly.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: November–January.
- Grows best when left alone. Only remove dead, diseased or awkward branches.
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
- Pruning too much: it grows best when left alone.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Bleeds heavily if you prune in spring or early summer.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Similar to: Difference from black mulberry · Difference from fig
Plant profile: White mulberry · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.