Mango Tree Disease (forum)

Phillip Gough starts with ...
Hello.
I have two mango trees in my yard. I'm not sure what type. Both have lost nearly all of their leaves and look dead. However there are lots of buds on the trees , when examined closely, but they don't change into leaves. We have possums which regularly sit in the tree. Do they eat mango buds?
Does anyone know what the problem might be?
Thanks
Phillip
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Time: 14th February 2013 8:51am

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About the Author Phillip
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Phillip Gough says...
By the way. I live in Auchenflower, Brisbane. The large pictured tree is in a part of the garden where water hangs, after heavy rain. The other smaller tree is higher up the garden, where water doesn't pool.

Time: 14th February 2013 8:55am

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Original Post was last edited: 14th February 2013 8:55am

About the Author Phillip
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Brain says...
hi Phil

sorry I do not know what is wrong with the tree but can help you answer the question of the possum. YES, they will eat the mango buds/shoots/new leaves! In fact they love them and will strip out the tree in one night. I suspect some of the new shoots are already being eatten.

As your tree is sprouting out new shoots, means it's still alive and recovering, and this is a good sign. But the possum will eat all the new leaves and may ultimately kill your tree due to the fact that it has no leaves and no means of producing any energy/sugar.

If you are serious about saving your tree, you will need to research a few methods in dealing with them. Possum repellent comes to mind. Good luck.



Time: 14th February 2013 11:11am

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About the Author Brain
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Phil@Tyalgum says...
I find a single application of Scat animal repellent always works.. buy it at your hardware or garden centre, spray regularly around the trunk or affected leaves. They don't seem to come back, good for rat and flying fox damage as well.
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Time: 14th February 2013 11:46am

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About the Author TyalgumPhil
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Phillip Gough says...
Thanks Phil and Brain
I'll check out the possum removal situation. There are one or two of them sat in the tree most nights. however, i wonder what made all the leaves fall?
Regards
Phillip

Time: 14th February 2013 1:10pm

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About the Author Phillip
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Phillip says...
Thanks Phil and Brain.
I think now that it is definitely possums. A couple of leaves grew on tree to almost full size then disappeared overnight.. We have a possum in our roof so guess she'll have to go.
Phillip

Time: 23rd April 2013 9:59am

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About the Author Phillip
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amanda says...
You are not allowed to move possums anywhere ($5000 fine if caught too!) so be careful Phillip....

Time: 23rd April 2013 10:09am

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Brain says...
this might sound funny ... but I'm not trying to be ...

My current method is to appease the Great Possum One. My 2 passion fruit vine is the sacrificial lamb/plant. When they eatten that to the stump, they move onto my apples and mangos. Or whatever with new young shoots. But once the leaves is mature and established, the possum seems to leve it alone.

Worth a try, at worst, you get some passion fruits.

Time: 23rd April 2013 4:52pm

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About the Author Brain
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tareedave says...
i installed a solar powered flood light (ebay $22.00) with sensors fitted them on poles through out orchard keeps possums and the flying foxes away

Time: 24th April 2013 8:26am

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About the Author dave w
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lenn says...
Nice one. You could record distress calls of bats and play them as well.

Time: 24th April 2013 9:37am

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amanda says...
tareedave - that's what we are thinking of doing for our roof - nice to hear it works :)
They haven't touched any of my fruit trees (planted only in the last 6months or so though..? Maybe our two dogs put them off..or are they just being shy..?

Time: 24th April 2013 10:43am

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Phillip says...
Thanks for all your replays re leafless mango tree. I had the pest folk come and set traps in the roof. They removed 3 possums and..............let them go in the garden!!! Apparently they can't take them any further than 25 meters.
Anyway, they ( the possums) seem to have taken the hint that they are not so popular around these parts and today I noticed the beginnings of leaves, not just buds, emerging from the man,go tree. So, fingers crossed and once again, thanks to all.
Phillip

Time: 14th May 2013 5:22pm

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About the Author Phillip
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