Question
We bought a house in the desert a year ago and recently moved in full time a few months ago.  It has a mature fruitless mulberry with amazing shade but the tree has ceased to grow.  There are no new leaves.  We had one branch removed that was dead but I see no obvious signs of disease.  It gets water every morning.  We've had these trees before and know they are prolific growers.

Answer
Dear Connie, Do you mean that there are no leaves on it now, or that it is not growing more new leaves?  Generally speaking, by this time of the year, there shouldn't be new leaves growing, but the tree should be full of leaves.  If there are no leaves on the tree, then the tree is probably dying.  One thing in your question that I noticed is that you say the tree gets water every morning.  The best way to water the tree would be to water about once a week, and let the hose run for an hour or two.  Light watering for 5 or 10 minutes a day will not supply enough water to completely reach the roots.  I have seen trees lose all their leaves while being watered daily, because the watering is too light.  Adjust the watering and give it long, long, deep watering and it could recover.  Now if you still have no leaves on the tree, then the tree could be already dead.  The fruitless mulberry is a great shade tree, but unfortunately they are not very long lived.  When the tree starts dying back, it is often near the end of its lifespan.  If you increase the water, and it is not leafed out, then your tree may be dying and I would consider replacing it after the summer heat is over.  Now if you have leaves on the tree, but it is just not continuing to put new leaves on, then it is normal for this time of the year.  I hope I have answered your concerns, but feel free to write back if you have more questions.  Good luck, Melissa