• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Nancy Reading
  • Carla Burke
  • r ranson
  • John F Dean
  • paul wheaton
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • Jay Angler
  • Liv Smith
  • Leigh Tate
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • Maieshe Ljin

Can I still fix this mango tree?

 
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi there!
I have this mango tree in my property. I guess the old owners didn't do the proper pruning and the tree grew skinny and tall, instead of more bushy and short. Now it's too tall for me to reach the fruits and I guess I will have a mess when the fruit season comes.
Can I still fix this tree? I marked on the picture below where I think I should cut, but I'm afraid to be too extreme and have an ugly monster instead of a still beautiful, although potentially messing, tree in front of my house.
Most of the branches are long. I'm considering cutting them in half or leaving 1/3 to make them open in several new ones. Does it make sense?
What do you guys suggest?
Thank you so much!


Intend to cut at the red marks


Seen from the back


Most branches are long and pointing up

 
steward and tree herder
Posts: 8385
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland. Nearly 70 inches rain a year
3974
4
transportation dog forest garden foraging trees books food preservation woodworking wood heat rocket stoves ungarbage
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi Marcelo - oh Mangoes how wonderful!
Obviously from my location I have no direct experience to offer, but I did find a useful pdf online: https://www.mango.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mango-Booklet-English.pdf . Have a look at p 23 where they cover rejuvenating older trees and it seems that you can be quite brutal to the trees in some environments. It sounds like fungal disease and drought stress can be an issue, so the timing of the pruning may be critical. It will take some time for the tree to regrow fruiting tips, it sounds like you need to aim for a bushy but open centred shape.
I hope this helps - maybe other lucky mango tree growers may be able to contribute some advice
 
Marcelo Rodrigues
Posts: 5
  • Likes 5
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thank you Nancy! The PDF is being very helpful.
When I finally decide what to do I can post the results here for others' future reference.
Best regards!
 
That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I think a piece of pie wouldn't kill me. Tiny ad:
permaculture and gardener gifts (stocking stuffers?)
https://permies.com/wiki/permaculture-gifts-stocking-stuffers
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic