Sometimes the hardest part of gardening isn’t knowing what to do. It’s finding the confidence to start when you feel behind. I’ve felt that many times, especially when plants have had a rough journey and don’t look how you think they should.
This mulberry tree is one of those stories.
It survived flooding, spent years in a pot, and was eventually replanted in the ground. It’s been through a lot, and today’s pruning wasn’t about perfection or dramatic results. It was about taking one slow, manageable step.
If you’re wondering when to prune a mulberry tree in Queensland or how much to cut back, this gentle approach is a good place to begin.
👉Video
Why this mulberry tree needed pruning now
After spending so long in a pot and then adjusting again after being replanted, this mulberry focused on survival rather than structure. That showed up as low side shoots growing close to the ground and uneven growth overall.
Rather than doing a hard prune or trying to fix everything at once, I chose a gentler approach. I removed only what was clearly unnecessary and let the tree keep most of its growth.
What flooding and pot life can do to a mulberry tree
Flooding and long term pot life can stress trees in subtle ways. Roots can struggle, growth can become lopsided, and it can take a long time for a tree to settle once conditions improve.
This mulberry didn’t need drastic intervention. It needed time, patience, and small adjustments as it finds its rhythm again.
Watch the video of when our property flooded here 👉 Video
Focusing on low side shoots during mulberry tree pruning
For this pruning session, I only removed a couple of low side shoots that were growing along the ground.
That was it.
No shaping.
No heavy cuts.
No rushing.
Sometimes pruning is simply about helping a tree direct its energy a little better, not forcing it into an ideal shape.
Why gentle pruning is enough
There’s a lot of pressure in gardening content to do things “properly” or all at once. But in real life, especially when you’re tired, busy, or overwhelmed, that approach can stop you from starting at all.
For beginners, particularly in warm climates like Queensland, less pruning is often safer than too much. Small, calm steps are often enough to support healthy growth without stressing the tree further.
This session was a reminder that progress doesn’t need to be dramatic to be meaningful.
A quiet reminder for overwhelmed gardeners
Sometimes gardening is just patience, small steps, and showing up again.
If you’re feeling behind, this is your permission to start small. One cut, one plant, or one quiet moment in the garden is enough.
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Country Living From Scratch
Queensland, Australia