All trees drop leaves so I don't think that replacing it with a serviceberry will fix that problem.

Although I like the look of serviceberry much better than your mulberry, it won't give you as much solid shade because it's more open. When you say "much needed shade" I don't see that it is shading a sitting area or window, so not sure why heavy shade is something you want. Am I misunderstanding what you want the tree to do?

We removed our weeping mulberry in the same location because I was tired of trimming it, and I didn't want the untrimmed look of "Cousin Itt" from the Addams family. I also didn't like that the birds ate the berries and pooped purple all over our cars and walkways. We replaced it with a Coral Bark Japanese Maple.

You have a lovely garden! You may not want to hear this but I love your tree. It's beautiful!! I would leave it as is. Adding edging to your garden is a great idea. It keeps the lawn out of your garden and keeps the garden out of your lawn. And there are so many different ways to edge these days and at so many different budgets.

You have a lovely garden! I would keep it.

I wish your weeping mulberry were less dense. Have you considered thinning it?

As far as your edging, I think the way you have done it is very attractive, more so than any edging material you could add.

My father edged his beds like this, and when we kids took over the lawn mowing we always had to touch up the edge. So in our family, this type of edge is known as a "Herbie" edge after my father. We like it.

If you decide to keep it, I'd cut off the top one third in the fall. Its shape would be more attractive shorter and maybe a bit wider.

The only thing being shaded are the steps. Can you get a pic from further back?

What zone are you in? What's your target size for tree maturity?

Hey thanks partim! I appreciate the advice. I enjoy sitting outside - the house faces due east and can become every hot, so I'll routinely move a chair underneath the tree and sit there. Without a tree there would be no seating in the afternoon/early evening, and I can't wait ten+ years for one to grow...

I agree that I have not found edging that I like and have stuck to manual edging. I have tried to develop skill using a weed whacker vertically. I think there is a "hori knife" that can also be used. I have read that you should have a vertical 90 degree drop on the edging.

That is an interesting thought to cut off the top one third. Agreed the shape is too much of a gumdrop.

Sorry - I meant to say the house faces due WEST!!!!! Apologies!! Morning sun directly on back of house, afternoon and evening on front of house. Hottest time of the day.

missenigma, I am in zone 6b.

Partim, I like your tree crop!!!!!

shady willow farm, see below (you will really notice the lopsided aspect...)

I love weeping mulberry trees. As mentioned, the way I managed ours was to make calculated thinning cuts in the fall after leaves drop. You can see the structure of the branches and create a more open branching look. That also gives you an improved look while retaining a beautiful tree. Btw, with a West exposure a Japanese Maple would not survive the heat and sun. There are some varieties that might work IF in an under planting but not as stand alone specimen tree. You have a pretty yard. Just a few tweaks to help you manage it better. Oh one more thing. Get a large fake Owl and put near the tree. This discourages undesired birds. Also, feeders away from the mulberry help too. It’s a beautiful tree. Hope you save it and improve it.

Seek a shape similar to this.

Can you sit behind the house when it’s hot?

If you prune it, be sure you don't prune off the part that gives you the shade you enjoy. Agree that it's much easier to prune these when the leaves are gone. Plenty of how-to's in the internet, but be sure you've got a good lopper or small saw, and that they're sharp. Not a small job!

I am not fan of mulberries at all but agree that your established tree is filling a need and I would not be in a big hurry to replace. You've received some good suggestions on how to approach better incorporation into the other plantings and making its lopsidedness less obvious.

But I did want to point out that if you did want to replace, you could certainly use a Japanese maple!! There are literally hundreds of different varieties and some are extremely sun and heat tolerant and suited for a western exposure in all but the hottest, driest southwest locations. Japanese maples are planted in full sun all the time in all sorts of situations!

I appreciate the positive feedback. Thank you so much especially to partim, gardengal48 and flo mangan. I am keeping the tree, and agree with gardengal48 that it fills a need and don't have the patience to wait for a replacement tree to grow in its place.

I found a good article on pruning mulberries: https://www.torontogardens.com/2010/03/technique-tips-pruning-weeping-mulberry.html/

with an image of a properly pruned mulberry tree (who woulda known?):

I did call an arborist - the price was a little steep! I will try my hand at pruning this fall when the leaves fall and work to reduce the height and lopsidedness. Perhaps post a follow up pic! Thanks to the houzz community!

When the leaves have fallen, a properly pruned mulberry looks like something from a Dr Suess book LOL. I`m not surprised that it`s expensive to have it done because it`s fairly time consuming although not difficult. Then you have to bundle it all up for disposal too.

Thanks partim! I’m not averse to work and will do my best! Sounds exciting! like a life size bonsai tree

Looks like part of the charm of mulberry trees is their interesting shape.

You'll want to wait until very late winter / early spring when the tree is dormant and before it breaks bud.