Question
I live in the High Desert of Southern CA and have a 7 year old fruitless mulberry. This spring when it began to leaf out the leaves immediately shriveled. It does not have the growth other trees nearby are showing or as it  had in past years.

Answer
There are several factors which could be causing reduced leaf production in your tree. The most likely are environmental factors. Drought, especially in late winter, as root activity begins can cause reduced leaf production.

Absorption of lawn herbicides by the roots of the tree could also be a cause if you used broadleaf weed control herbicides or weed-and-feed products. The reduction in leaves could also be caused by a need for additional nitrogen fertilizer or a change in your lawn irrigation practices.

Since you are familiar with your irrigation, fertilization, and weed control practices, you will have to consider and eliminate some of these factors; however, the weather conditions are still a very likely culprit.


Very fast growing trees take up a LOT of water. I don't know what's on your tree's leaves but it's probably signs of stress. They need to be deep watered once a week at least. Shallow infrequent waterings(sprinkler only etc....)lead to a very weak tree. I'd also cover the base with 2 inches of compost and 2 inches of mulch to add nutrition and hold in water. Do not make a "hill" around the base of the tree. Spread the mulch evenly in a circle the at least 4ft out.