How to Prune a Mango Tree

Pruning mango trees increases quality fruit production and allows for easy access to the fruit. An unpruned mango tree can grow to over 40 feet tall, making it difficult to reach and harvest the mangoes. If you have a mango tree and you're looking for a way to properly maintain it, read through a few simple steps and you'll be on your way to growing ripe and delicious mangoes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pruning shears
• Pruning saw
• Gloves

1. Prune your mango tree in the winter after fruit production. This ensures a good quality crop the following season.

2. Cut your mango trees down to about 12 feet. Don't worry if you take even 20 feet off of your trees. Mango trees respond well to pruning and grow back fast.

3. Apply a good fungicide to all cuts. This prevents pest infestation.

4. Clear out all water sprouts. Remove every dead or dying branch, and every twig hidden from the sun. The inside of your mango tree must be exposed to plenty of sunlight.

5. Strap on safety ropes when pruning the tops of your mango trees. Make sure someone is available in case you fall.

6. Cut the mango tree's branches where the branch connects together. This enables new growth quicker than if you just cut the branch anywhere.

7. Make sure the sun's rays penetrate deep into the tree. The sun actually aides in the prevention of fungus, and disinfects your tree against insects and pests that attack the mango fruit.

Tips & Warnings

• Mango trees have been known to grow over 40 feet tall and because of the large size harvesting mango fruit can be difficult. Mango trees come in a variety of smaller sizes. They include, Graham, Cogshall, Julie, Fairchild, Mallika, Carrie and Glenn. It is important to keep your mango trees pruned to size, or they will grow out of control.
• Insects and pests live inside dead twigs and grass under trees. Make sure to keep the area under your mango tree clean to prevent tree infestation.

Resources

• Mango Fruit Facts

[dushyantmishra]

on 8/31/2009 Why to paste fungicide on cut ends of mango? I think that a sharp and slant cut is more important in mango pruning. Mango tree have self defence mechanism by oozing of gums from cut ends. This gum oozing blocks the vascular tissues and prevents microbial infections from cut ends.