Pruning mango tree (forum)

KobiC starts with ...
Hi all,

We have recently purchased an Alison Red (dwarf Kensington Pride) mango tree. The tree is approximately 2m tall but is yet to branch out significantly.

I have read a lot that it is important to prune a young mango tree to ensure it branches initially at the desired height. I also understand a lot of people prune to keep the tree to a smaller desired height.

We selected the tree based on the ultimate height we want it to reach eventually. (My husband wanted a screening tree, but I convinced him to let me grow an edible tree that screens as well). As such reducing height to allow easy access to fruit is not our priority.

With this in mind, should I still prune it back to say 1.2 - 1.5 metres to encourage branching lower than the tress current height?

My concern is whether in pruning the tree to encourage branching, will I also prevent the tree from reaching its maximum potential height.

Will it still branch eventually if left unpruned?

Thank you for any advice you can offer!


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Time: 22nd February 2016 8:11pm

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Original Post was last edited: 24th February 2016 7:27am
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Danny N1's says...
Hi KobiC,

Im no mango expert but i do grow mango's myself and by the looks of your tree you need to tip the top of the main stem and also tip side branch that you have growing from the main stem - this will force your mango to send out new branches from the main stem. I do this to all my mango's and it has no adverse effects and it makes for a healthier tree. The more branching you have the better in my opinion as your tree develops and it will also help to keep your tree at a height that your comfortable with. Hope this helps.

Happy Gardening

Time: 24th February 2016 9:47pm

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Waterfall says...
Hi KobiC,

Your mango will grow branches at the leaves just below wherever you make the cut.

Keep that in mind and make a cut where you want your lowest branches to be.

Obviously you must stay above the graft.

Don't be afraid to cut low, I have cut mine very low in the past to create more of a bush than a tree (see photo). This one is a KP seedling so I was able to cut very low (no graft), took about 5' off the top in one go.


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Time: 25th February 2016 9:11am

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Don C says...
I also am not a mango expert, but have pruned one mango tree and several other fruit trees. From my experience, if you leave the tree unpruned, it is more likely to branch out higher above the ground than is ideal for low fruiting. If you wish to easily pick the fruit, it is better to encourage branching lower down than may naturally occur. I am not familiar with the dwarf Kensington Pride, but the normal Kensington Pride mangos are very vigorous, take up a lot of space and many fruits will be too high to pick from the ground, if the tree is unmanaged. Hopefully, the dwarf variety fixes this. Based on the distance your tree appears to be from the fence, you may need to do a lot of pruning in the years ahead. Unless your neighbours also like mango trees.
Pruning will not reduce the ultimate height of the tree, unless you keep doing it, i.e you want to stop it getting taller. Best not to prune if it is going to be very wet.
My 2c worth is prune early to get the shape right with low branches for easy fruit picking, and from then on try to stop it growing over the fence. Mangoes are tip bearing so if you prune when it gets to fruiting age, an overall haircut will reduce your fruit set dramatically. On the other hand, if your aim is to screen out the 2 storey house behind perhaps you want a tall tree, in which case you will need a ladder to pick fruit.

Time: 26th February 2016 11:29am

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KobiC says...
Thank you for the advice everyone.

Yes the intention is to screen out the building behind so we are happy to use a ladder to pick fruit.

I am leaning towards pruning just a bit below where the side branch is now, so that it starts branching from about 1.5m.

I know I will be anxious after pruning it until I get significant new growth, but I do feel better with all of your advice!



Time: 27th February 2016 8:04pm

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wintershade says...
dear waterfall, query. thanks for your post (last year).
are you cutting off the whole top of the mango tree and leaving only the main stem??
thanks

Time: 19th October 2017 12:00pm

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Waterfall says...
Hi wintershade,

Yes once the tree is established in the ground or even if it is still growing in a pot you can cut the whole top of as described in my old post. In its next growth flush it will start to grow 3 - 4 branches under where you made the cut.

Time: 19th October 2017 4:14pm

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wintershade says...
Thanks very much for your answer Waterfall. I really appreciate it.

Time: 20th October 2017 2:22pm

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Jhan says...
Waterfall - How old was the tree when you made that cut?
I’ve got a 1+ yo Bowen tree approx just over 1 metre tall.
Can I cut it low now and get it to branch?

Time: 12th March 2019 1:27pm

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Mango Mike says...
Jhan... No problems to cut but you don't have to cut low to get branching.... Cut just above last bit of growth & you should get either 3 or 4 branches to shoot from just below the cut mark.....

Time: 13th March 2019 12:12am

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Waterfall says...
Im not sure how old but the tree was about 1.2m tall.

Time: 13th March 2019 10:11am

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Jhan says...
Hi Waterfall
I don’t really have a big yard for a tall tree.
Ideally I want to keep the tree approx 2 metres or 2.5 metres maximum.
I think mine was similar height to yours bought from a nursery.
I gave it the chop so it’s now standing approx just under 30 cm. Pix attached
How long approx does it take for new branches to emerge?
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Time: 17th March 2019 8:49pm

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Jhan says...
Hi Wintershade
Did you end up cutting your tree only leaving the main stem?
How’s it doing now ?
Have you got any photos?

Time: 18th March 2019 8:50pm

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Richard B. says...
I have a dwarf Palmer Mango thats 1 metre tall with new growth on it in Brisbane. When do i prune it to encourage new branches and how much do i cut off and where exactly? Here are 2 pics
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Time: 24th March 2019 2:21pm

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Mango Mike says...
You will need to prune now before winter... Cut off where you want the branches to be....

Time: 25th March 2019 10:53pm

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Richard B. says...
Thanks Mango Mike. The tree has dropped a lot of leaves since that photo, is this normal?

Time: 27th March 2019 8:37pm

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Mango Mike says...
Mango trees do tend to shed leaves during hot weather & it has been very hot for a extended period..... With your mango in a pot you would need to be watering it daily in the heat we have just had...... Mike

Time: 28th March 2019 10:28pm

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Smitha says...
Hi... We bought a bowen mango couple of weeks back and its more than a meter high, though not sure of the age. I have a small backyard and would like the tree to be of small size. When shoud i start pruning? Is pruning in October ok?
Appreciate feedback
Regards
Smitha

Time: 2nd October 2019 10:15pm

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Waterfall says...
Start now and if its not grafted you can cut very low.

Time: 3rd October 2019 9:31am

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Mickydust says...
I have just pruned my bowen mango tree and there is about 10 new shoots is this too many?
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Time: 7th October 2019 8:45pm

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CaseyM says...
Hi guys, I'm looking for some advice on this rather tall Bowen Mango tree that we just purchased. Its twice my height and far to tall with no major branching. I would guess it would be around 4 years old? We are about to plant it in the ground and let it settle before making some cuts to improve its structure. Im a little afraid to make such a harsh cut but do you think a cut at the red line would be suitable? How long after planting would we make the cut? I'm not wanting to shock it too much. Any other tips? Many thanks
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Time: 9th February 2020 1:00pm

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