| My Mulberry trees are losing their bark and seem to be getting black on the trunk and branches. What can I do? |
| I can't tell from your description whether there is a black film (sooty mold) on the branches or if your tree is oozing sap. Sooty mold is caused by insects feeding and excreting a sticky substance called honeydew, which ages and turns black. If this is what you're finding, you'll need to control the insects in order to stop the production of honeydew. A systemic soil drench such as Merit or Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control will help. If the tree is oozing sap, it's from a wound and you'll need to determine just what is causing the damage. Could be beetles have invaded the wood and are feeding beneath the bark (which can also cause the bark to split and fall off. Wish I could be more helpful but without knowing exactly what's going on with your mulberry, it's difficult to make a control suggestion. You might try taking photos of the damage, along with pieces of the bark that is being shed and take them to your cooperative extension office for diagnosis and control suggestions. Contact ASU Maricopa Cooperative Extension, 4341 E Broadway Rd, Phoenix - (602) 827-8200. Good luck with your mulberry trees. |
