Mango trees are known for producing delicious fruits, but in order to keep them healthy and fruitful, pruning is necessary. Mango trees should be pruned regularly to remove dead or diseased wood, promote growth of new shoots and increase fruit production. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps on how to prune a mango tree.
When to Prune a Mango Tree
The best time to prune a mango tree is during its dormant season when it has shed its leaves. This usually occurs between December and February depending on your location. Avoid pruning during the rainy season as wounds made during this period may not heal properly due to high humidity levels.
Tools Required
Before beginning the process of pruning your mango tree, ensure that you have all the required tools including:
– Pruning shears
– Lopper or saw
– Gloves
– Safety goggles (optional but recommended)
Steps for Pruning a Mango Tree
Step 1: Assess the Tree
Walk around the mango tree and observe it carefully before starting any cutting. Look out for branches that appear old or diseased such as those with cankers or black spots.
Step 2: Remove Dead Wood
Using your lopper or saw cut off all dead branches from the main trunk of your mango tree. These are typically easy to spot since they show no signs of life like buds or green foliage at their tips.
Step 3: Trim Overlapping Branches
If there are two branches growing close together so much so that they’re rubbing against each other then one will need removal because both cannot grow healthily together; Cut one back until there’s adequate space between them.
Step 4: Cut Back Diseased Branches
If any branch appears infected by pests/disease like anthracnose (common in tropical regions) then cut back till healthy wood appears; dispose damaged parts far away from other plants/trees dirt too because this could infect others.
Step 5: Remove Suckers
A sucker is a shoot that originates from the root system of the mango tree. They can be quite difficult to spot, but if you do see any remove them as soon as possible since they use up nutrients and water meant for your tree’s main trunk.
Step 6: Thin Out Crowded Branches
If several branches are growing together in one spot leaving insufficient spacing between them, then cut back some so others have room to flourish properly.
Tips for Pruning Mango Trees
– Always wear gloves when pruning mango trees since their sap can cause skin irritation.
– Clean your tools after each cut with rubbing alcohol or bleach solution (1 part bleach; 9 parts water) to prevent the spread of disease.
– Be careful not to over-prune as this could stunt growth and reduce fruit yield
– Avoid pruning during rainy season
– Use sharp tools while cutting wood cleanly and smoothly without tearing it off from the rest of plant tissue.
Conclusion
Pruning your mango tree regularly will help keep it healthy and fruitful. It’s important to know when and how to prune it properly so that you don’t end up hurting its growth or causing more harm than good. Follow these steps on how to prune a mango tree and enjoy juicy fruits year after year!