Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the soil moisture level 6 inches down.
- Inspect the leaves for any signs of scale insects.
- Evaluate the recent rainfall and temperature patterns.
Likely causes
Dehydration
PossibleHow to tell: The leaf edges feel crispy and dry to the touch. This often happens during extended hot and dry spells.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the water reaches at least 12 inches into the soil to support the deep root system.
Salt buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown even when the soil feels moist. This often occurs if you use heavy fertilizers or have hard water.
What to do: Flush the soil with a large volume of plain water to wash away excess salts. Stop fertilizing for the rest of the season to let the tree recover.
Find out what's wrong with your white 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 browning spreads rapidly toward the center of the leaves or affects new growth. Minor browning on older leaves during late summer is normal.
Stopping it coming back
Maintain a consistent watering schedule during dry summer months and apply a layer of mulch to keep the roots cool.
White mulberry: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your white mulberry and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Should I trim off the brown tips?
- You can trim them for aesthetics, but it is not necessary for the tree's health. Use clean, sharp shears to cut just outside the green tissue.
- Is this a sign of popcorn disease?
- No, popcorn disease specifically affects the fruit, causing it to swell and look like popcorn. Brown leaf tips are unrelated to this fungal infection.
Guides to these causes
More problems with White mulberry
- Why does my White mulberry have pests?
- Why are there spots on my White mulberry leaves?
- Why are my White mulberry's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my white mulberry tree drooping?
- Why is my white mulberry losing its leaves?
- Why is my white mulberry showing signs of root rot?
- Why are my white mulberry leaves curling?
Back to the White mulberry guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.