Weeping Mulberry Tree

[meshelsha]

I have a weeping mulberry tree about 15 yrs old. It has somekind of white looking power (fungi) on the branches, and the leaves are turning brown. I live in North Alabama. Any ideas on what this might be and how to take care of the tree. Should it be trimmed back?

[Newt]

Hi Meshelsha,

Does this sound like the problem?
http://www.caes.state.ct.us/PlantPes...hM/pphmulb.htm

Bacterial blight, Pseudomonas spp.
Irregular, water-soaked, dark green sunken spots develop on leaves. These become brown or black with yellow borders and translucent edges as they age. Young leaves may be deformed and browned. On young shoots infection shows as water-soaked streaks which can eventually kill the twig. Yellow or white masses of bacteria may ooze from lenticels or from cut symptomatic stems under moist conditions.

Pruning and removing infected parts back to healthy wood can reduce the chance of further infection. All pruning tools should be carefully disinfested with 10% bleach or 70% alcohol between cuts. Sound cultural practices that optimize plant vigor will help with recovery.

Newt

[meshelsha]

Yes, thank you. Do you know how far back I can trim this tree and what time of the year would be a good time to do it?

[Newt]

Usually the best time to prune most trees would be in late winter. But, if you aren't going to be able to id which are the healthy branches and which are the sick ones, then I would say to do it now. Prune back to healthy wood, trying not to remove more than 25% of the tree. Don't forget to dip your pruning tools in the bleach solution BETWEEN EACH CUT and when you are done so you don't risk spreading the infection. Take a look here for how to prune.

http://www.freeplants.com/free-artic...erry-trees.htm
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-4.pdf
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/ho...ne/prun001.htm

Hope this helps,
Newt