Mulberry didn't break the bud

9 years ago

I bought a persian mulberry last spring and only a few leaves came out. But most of the buds just stay there until this spring.

I scratched the bark a little bit and it's green. But this tree has a very odd shape-----big head and slim body. Is this some kind of disease ?

Should I just cut off the big knob and give the bottom trunk a chance to grow normal?

Need advice, thanks!

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Comments (7)

eloise_ca
9 years ago
Could that big knot be where it's grafted? If so, don't cut it.
lucky_p
9 years ago
Little doubt in my mind that that is the graft union. Marked difference in bark character and diameter are pretty telling.
If you cut off below that, all you'll have is whatever seedling mulberry they used for rootstock.
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fabaceae_native
9 years ago
That graft union looks EXACTLY like every other grafted Morus nigra I've seen, so listen to lucky, and don't cut below that! Your rootstock is probably a seedling Morus alba...

I still don't understand why they don't just graft these things really low for a nice bushy plant, that way the ugly graft union would be hidden, and the plant would make for very easy picking as well. I guess they're assuming everybody wants a tree-shaped mulberry, and a tall Morus alba rootstock is the only quick way to achieve that!

Don't know why some buds stayed 'dormant' last growing season, hopefully you will get better growth this year! And don't worry too much about the shape, it will develop nicely over time with some pruning here and there. Those make nice thick, full plants.
gambelsquail
Original Author
9 years ago
I am very happy I asked before I go out cutting it down.

Thank you for all the useful information.

You guys are awesome :)
Konrad___far_north
9 years ago
Looks like the graft has higher vigor,..bulging out at the graft, keep an eye on it, ..if it gets top heavy, in a storm it could break off, you might want to stake it.
gambelsquail
Original Author
8 years ago
It's leafing out now. Thank you all for the helpful information :)
meredith_e Z7b, Piedmont of NC, 1000' elevation
8 years ago
My little M nigra that just spent its first winter out in our cold (and it got exceptionally cold for here!) just started barely leafing out. I was getting worried it had died! I did read that m nigra is late (or can be), so I didn't freak out and am now pleasantly pleased :)

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Mulberry didn't break the bud

Comments (7)

eloise_ca

lucky_p

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