If you want to do that go ahead and cut off all but the tallest trunk.

It all depends on what look you want.

Why did the previous tree die?

I have a mulberry bias, I'd say cut it down and poison the stumps.

Don't know. It was a mature tree and over the last 3-4 it declined to the point I had it taken out.

dbarron: I like mulberry trees, at leas the fruitless variety. In fact, at my last property I planted 20 of them along the property line.

To each his own...they're intolerable weeds in my yard (thanks to avian sowers).

socks...good point, a bush would block my view. So, a tree it is.

Mulberry trees are fast growing resulting in huge crowns and heavy shallow roots that require regular tree pruning to keep them from overtaking an area. If you have the space to let it get big and full in it's natural form, it can be a very nice tree. If patios, fences, structures are nearby then take it out now while its small and easy to dig out.

Should I leave it be and grow as a bush or cut off 3 of the stems to create a tree?

==>>> to be clear.. its a tree .. though i have never seen this particular leaf shape M .... it is not.. and will never be.. a shrub ... by my definition anyway ...

you will end up with a multi trunked tree ... if you see what i am getting at ... it may or may not be long lived... since all the trunks are only an inch apart ... but when they are a foot thick there might be some inherent problems ... but since ma nature is involved.. i wouldnt be surprised if it ended up without problems ... as compared to where one of us tried planting it this way .. lol.. we tend to have a proclivity to screw up things like that .. lol ...

it was not previously 'removed' ... it was cut down.. and nothing was done about the root mass .... hence the reason it has come back with a vengeance ...

you have 2 choices .... cut down and apply stump killer ... or have it ground out ...

or.. reduce to one trunk .. and grow it as a single trunked tree .... which..imo... will give it.. its longest potential life span ..

i have a few different type Ms on the 5 acres ... as far as trees go.. you can do a heck of a lot better ... but if it pleases you ... all the power to ya ... 'free' trees.. and often.. not the best trees .. as usually.. they are the ones that seed everywhere.. and i mean everywhere ...

i dont really see an ID above ... so i cant research it .. and i am relying on you all calling it a tree ... relying is right up there with assuming.. if you get my drift ... lol ...

ken

ps: you could cut it down every other year or so.. and topiary it.. into a shrub shape ... but it will still be a tree ...

Ken...thanks. I have experience with mulberry trees. I like them. They provide good shade, few pests and are relatively easy to grow. I will cut out 3 trunks and dedicate as a tree. Of note is that my property has a number of fruiting mulberries (which I do not like because of the mess, but they do provide shade and I tolerate them since they are not located in a problematic area). However, if this one turns out to be fruiting, I will take it out as I don't need the mess in front of my house on my lawn.

Multiple-trunked mulberries are notorious for the trunks spreading apart & eventually falling down in their old-age. If you want to keep it, IMHO cut to one trunk.