Weird Rings on Mulberry Leaves

These rings on mulberry leaves are NOT what I like to see:

This image was sent to me by a reader, who writes:

“Hey David,
Hope all is well. Any idea what this is?
Thanks and God bless”

I wrote back:

“Almost certainly a viral infection. If it were my tree, I would take it out and burn it. I do not know of a cure and it may spread to the other trees. That said, you may have luck researching it further, knowing it’s viral. Hard to find info.”

He responded:

“Sounds like i have some burning to do. Should I cut it completely down, or leave just the trunk in the ground since it’s a mulberry? I will be burning all foliage and branching with foliage within the hour. I’d rather not chance any of my other trees getting this. Thanks for the direction.”

And I replied:

“I would take out the trunk too, or it will just grow back with the virus. The big risk is that one day you are pruning, then accidentally prune a non-infected tree. I have done that, stupidly. Or an insect chows down on that one, then visits another tree.”

Look at these rings close up with some contrast:

Viral infections are very hard to deal with and often the best cure is to not bother trying and just go ahead and

A friend of mine had an infected mulberry tree and showed me what it looked like. Though it didn’t have these crazy spots, it did have weirdly patchy, distorted leaves. These things happen, and if you let them stay they may spread to other trees.

And of course, wash your hands.