How to Prune a Non-Fruiting Mulberry Tree

Examine your mulberry tree’s current condition. Determine if there are any dead or damaged parts that need to be removed, indicated by branches, stems or leaves that are brown and brittle. Decide what other portions of the tree can be pruned in order to improve its appearance to your liking or to prevent possible personal injuries, interference or property damage. You may consider consulting a local tree doctor first on the health of your tree to see if the cuts you're planning won't damage it.

List the tools you’ll need for pruning. For stems a ¾ inch or less in diameter, hand pruners will do. For bigger stems and branches up to 2 inches in diameter, use lopping shears, a pruning saw or a pole pruner. Use a chain saw for really large branches, but only if you have the experience and safety gear to go with it.

Prepare the tools. Sharpen them with a file or whetstone if needed. Clean and disinfect your tools with a disinfecting solution created from 10 parts water and 1 part disinfectant, such as Lysol, Listerine or rubbing alcohol.

Wear your gloves and goggles, and start pruning the tree. First, snip off any leaves or minor stems that obscure your view of the major stems or branches that need to be cut off.

Cut off any diseased or damaged main stems and branches. Begin by making 1 to 2 initial cuts several inches away from each branch’s “collar”, or elbow-like intersection, with a major branch or main trunk. The third and final cut should be done right outside this collar at a 45 to 60 degree angle to the main connecting branch or trunk.

Use the same cutting method to remove other unattractive or hazardous branches as well as to shape the tree into the size and shape you wish. You can employ a popular method of pruning for mulberries called "crown reduction", which involves shortening the most vigorous or “leader” branch down to the length of the shorter secondary branches.