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Paper mulberry · Broussonetia papyrifera

What is eating my Paper Mulberry leaves?

It is less common for a Paper Mulberry to suffer from severe pest infestations, as it is a hardy tree. This symptom usually indicates a minor visitor, so check the undersides of the leaves first.

pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of the leaves for tiny insects.
  2. Look for sticky residue on the leaves or stems.
  3. Check for fine webbing between the leaf nodes.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see small, soft bodied insects clustered on the undersides of leaves or new growth. They leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew.

    What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water from your hose. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week for 2 weeks.

  2. Spider mites

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves look stippled or yellowed, and you might see fine webbing between the stems. These are tiny pests that thrive in hot, dry conditions.

    What to do: Increase humidity around the tree by misting the foliage. Use neem oil spray on the affected areas every 7 days until they disappear.

Find out what's wrong with your paper mulberry

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Worry if the leaves start curling or turning yellow in large numbers. A few insects are normal and will not harm a healthy, established tree.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the tree healthy with proper watering and sunlight to help it naturally resist pests.

Keep your paper mulberry healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Should I use a systemic pesticide?
Avoid systemic pesticides as they can harm beneficial insects. Simple physical removal or mild soaps are usually enough.
Will these pests kill my tree?
It is very unlikely. The Paper Mulberry is a fast grower and can usually outpace minor pest damage.

More problems with Paper mulberry

Back to the Paper mulberry guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.