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Mulberry Tree not fruiting #679571

Asked January 29, 2021, 9:55 AM EST

I have two black mulberry trees that I dug up in March of 2007 and transplanted in my backyard. The tree these came from produced large amounts of fruit the year before I dug them up. Since then I really haven't gotten any fruit to speak of. I have tried heavy pruning to light pruning and nothing seems to matter. Three years ago I got a few berries on them(I saw about 12), although the birds did get most of them, I did manage to eat 2 of them. I have read that mulberry trees can revert from male to female and back again. The tree usually has a lot of long flowers which makes me think the are both males. But I have had a few berries on them, not many. I fertilize them in the spring ever year with horse manure and then mulch them with wood chips. I have attached a picture of them as seen now in dormancy. They are the two trees of similar size in the middle of the yard behind the grape vines.

Mahoning County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi Mike -

There is no great answer to your question, but a few things to think about. Yes, there can be male and female trees. But, they can be monoecious as well - which is more common (male and female blooms on the same tree). If you have seen fruit before, you know you have a chance. 

My first and best educated guess is bloom time and frost. You may see flowers, but if you cut the flower open - it may be brown and dead inside. The area where you have them planted could be in a frost pocket at the time of bloom. This year, check blooms on parts of the tree to ensure you have viable blooms.

Secondly, the issue could be fertilization. Mulberry trees thrive in poor soil conditions. Here in Youngstown, they fruit quite well along streets and next to vacant homes. So, overfertilization may cause issues and encourage more growth and less concentration on fruit production. You don't need to apply manure each year. I encourage you to do a soil test to determine the pH and nutrient levels.

Here are some links for you:

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/mulberry.html - Florida - thriving in infertile soil

http://go.osu.edu/mulberry

https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/red_mulberry.html

An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 08, 2021, 9:37 AM EST
Thanks for the information. I am now thinking they might be white Mulberry trees, because I think the leaves are smaller. I'll have to pay more attention to the leaf structure.
Mulberry trees thrive in poor soil conditions



-----Original Message-----
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
To: mikelong2002 <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Mon, Feb 8, 2021 9:37 am
Subject: Re: Mulberry Tree not fruiting (#0004385)

The Question Asker Replied February 08, 2021, 10:01 AM EST

OK. Let us know if you need anything else! -Eric

An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 08, 2021, 10:05 AM EST

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