The graft union--if there is one on mulberry--is always above the ground. You plant at or below (raised bed) the root flare on all fruit/nut trees except pecan (2" below shows increased survival which is why they come painted to mark the level where to bury them).

Sounds very much like rose slug larvae damage, to me. Here are a couple of links to threads about rose slugs found by doing a search on this forum with some interesting information. There may be other threads on the Antique Rose Forum. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg1113121915397.html http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg042021559569.html http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg0512455712090.html Smiles, Lyn

The 1st half of the year here was real wet. So wet I believe we're still on pace to end the year as the wettest on record. Silver maples and some pears STILL have their green leaves. Any unusual weather this year? Seems like we're short on high winds lately here to. Maybe I'll find someplace with them records listed and compare.

I gave up growing bells when HEB started selling those big red ones for 98 cents. Then a couple weeks ago they had them 2 for $1 and I went hog wild! Some got frozen, the rest I hickory smoke-dried and turned into chili powder, Those will be blended in with whatever hot pepper powder I end up with at season's end. Man what a great year this is turning out to be. :)