Pruning mango trees

Benefits of Pruning Mango Trees

• Improved fruit quality

  Mango trees produce some of the most succulent and aesthetically pleasing fruits in the world. Pruning is an instrumental process in ensuring that these fruits are produced in quality, quantity, and consistency. This is done mainly through the removal of dead branches that may affect the growth of new branches. Old and diseased branches thwart fruit production by robbing the tree of minerals and nutrients that are required for fruit development. Weak branches are prone to diseases and may not support healthy fruit production. Additionally, they tend to create a dense canopy that restricts sunlight and air to other productive branches. By trimming dead and diseased branches, air circulation and light penetration are enhanced. This helps to boost the nutrient intake of the tree and consequently improves the quantity and quality of the fruits. Mangoes get their sweetness, flavor, and color from adequate sunlight exposure. Therefore, improved sunlight access directly influences the quality of the mango fruits.

• Bigger yields

  Through pruning, the overall yield of mango fruits is improved. Mango trees produce more fruits when they are well pruned. This is due to the fact that pruning stimulates the growth of new fruiting wood. By cutting back overgrown branches, the tree channels its energy into producing new growth, which results in an abundance of flowers and, subsequently, fruits. Also, fruit develops better in mango trees that have their flowers well spaced out. Pruning helps reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases as it removes the branches that are infested or diseased. Healthy trees naturally attract fewer pests and are less susceptible to disease. This happens because many pests thrive on stressed or weakened wood and branches. Additionally, many diseases can be transmitted from diseased branches to healthy ones. Regular pruning reduces pest populations and improves air circulation, further decreasing the likelihood of disease.

• Better tree health

  Regularly trimming the dead, diseased, or damaged branches of the mango tree promotes its overall health and longevity. It helps to prevent the occurrence of certain diseases and infections by removing the spoiled parts where pathogens are likely to reside. Pruning helps to ensure that nutrients are well distributed to the healthy parts of the tree. A well-pruned tree has better access to sunlight and air, which are critical factors for photosynthesis and respiration. With this, the tree can produce enough energy to support its growth and fruit production. Moreover, pruning eliminates weak branches that may break under the weight of ripe fruit during harvest. This helps to prevent twigs and branches from snapping and causes injury to the pruner or damage to surrounding plants and equipment.

• Easy harvesting process

  Pruning mango trees properly creates a balanced and open canopy that makes the fruits easily accessible during harvesting. There are no overcrowded or excessive leaves on the branches, so the fruits are easier to see and reach. This means that less complicated and less physically demanding techniques can be used when harvesting mangoes. In addition, a well-pruned tree has lower branches that are easier to reach and doesn't require special tools. Mangoes can be harvested manually without much difficulty. When mangoes are ripe, they can be easily spotted because of the exposure to sunlight. This reduces the chances of mangoes being picked before they are mature or left to overripen on the tree. Pruning also eliminates the need to cut through thick, heavy branches, which can be dangerous when working at heights or using ladders.

How to Prune Mango Trees

• Assess the Tree

  Before any cutting begins, it is essential to evaluate the condition of the mango tree. This assessment will guide decisions on which branches to prune and how much to trim. Sickness and disease pruning should be done as a response to signs of infection or disease on the mango tree. These include leaf curl, fungal growth, or signs of pest infestations. In this case, only the affected branches should be pruned, and the tree should be monitored for signs of regrowth and improvement. If the tree is very old and has not been pruned for a long time, it possibly will have many branches that are overgrown. Overcrowding branches cause a lot of shade and limit the fruiting potential of the tree. This should be the aim when performing the pruning cuts: to open up the center of the tree to allow light to reach all areas. Avoid cutting too many branches at once, as this can shock an old tree. Focus on removing any dead or diseased branches and those that are overcrowding.

• Remove Dead, Damaged, or Diseased Branches

  This type of pruning is meant to get rid of any dead or diseased branches on the tree. Begin by cutting off all the dead branches. Dead branches are usually devoid of leaves, while diseased branches are sick and struggling to survive. They may also be damaged and have broken branches that were caused by storms, strong winds, or even heavy fruit. All these damaged branches should be removed as they pose a danger to the tree and hinder new growth. Diseased branches should be cut far away from the center of the tree in order to minimize the transmission of diseases to healthy parts. Cutting diseased branches should be done with sterilized, sharp tools to avoid contaminating the healthy part of the tree.

• Thinning Out

  This means removing any branches that are interfering with each other or are growing into the center of the tree. Select the branches that are overcrowding the tree and are hindering sunlight from penetrating to the inner parts of the tree and the lower leaves. The rule of the phenomenon states that one should avoid cutting more than 30% of a tree in any given year. Focus on removing suckers and those branches that are growing out at odd angles within the tree. These are known as water shoots. This type of growth does not produce fruit and often drains the tree's energy.

• Shaping and Strengthening

  This phase of pruning helps to shape the overall structure of the mango tree and encourages the growth of strong, healthy branches. Weak and thin branches are those that cannot hold a large crop of fruits, and they should be trimmed. These branches should be removed to promote the development of strong, healthier ones. It is important to ensure that the tree has a few dominant branches that form the main structure or scaffold of the tree. These should be spaced out evenly and to the periphery so the tree can fully develop a broad and open canopy. All the lateral branches that are pointing inward toward the center of the tree should be removed.

• Encouraging New Growth

  As earlier said, pruning helps to shape the tree and encourages new growth, including the development of productive branches. Prune back any tips from the young, open branches using sharp pruning shears. This encourages the tree to produce new shoots from the remaining growth buds. These buds will develop into new branches that are young and more conducive for fruit production. The beauty of mangoes is that they grow from terminal buds located at the ends of their branches. These terminal buds should be left during pruning because they are responsible for producing flowers and fruits.

Supplies for Pruning Mango Trees

• Pruning Shears

  This is the tool that is used for clean and precise cuts of small branches. It is mainly used for branches that are less than half an inch thick. This tool is very effective as it avoids the use of hands or ordinary kitchen knives when pruning; otherwise, it would lead to uneven cuts or even damage the tree. Poor cuts may harm the tree by inhibiting healthy growth or by introducing infections. With pruning shears, one can be assured of making the cuts quickly, lessening the pressure on the hands, and having fewer bruised branches.

• Loppers

  Heavy branches that are more than half an inch thick require the use of loppers. This tool is ideal for cutting medium-sized branches with more precision and control. Don’t use hands or any ordinary knife, as it is difficult to cut thick branches and may lead to injury or damage to the tree. Loppers will ensure the cuts are made at a comfortable height and provide good leverage to avoid straining the hands. Cutting with loppers leaves a clean cut that promotes faster healing and reduces the risk of disease.

• Pruning Saw

  As the name suggests, this type of saw is used for cutting larger branches. It is designed to make smooth and quick cuts with minimal effort. Larger branches require larger branch cutters, which can be dangerous for the user and the tree if not adequately managed. It prevents injuries by dealing with larger branches from a safer position, either standing or sitting on lower branches. Lower branches do not swing or snap back after cutting; they fall to the ground.

• Cutting Tools

  After giving enough time to sit in a sterilizing solution, all the cutting tools are removed and left to dry completely. It is advisable to allow these tools to dry completely before beginning the process of pruning. This helps to stop the transmission of diseases from one tree to another. Sanitation should always be paramount in the mind of the grower when it comes to agricultural production so that there are no incidences of cross-contamination.

• Sterilizing Solution

  Sterilizing solutions can range from rubbing alcohol, bleach solution, or commercially available sanitizers. These solutions effectively eliminate most pathogens that could be present on the tools.

Precautions for Pruning Mango Trees

• Avoid Over-Pruning

  This caution is based on the fact that trees often go into shock if too many of their branches are trimmed at once. It can weaken the tree and make it vulnerable to diseases and pests. It is also not healthy for the fruits, as they will be of poor quality and small or no fruits at all. Only clean, dead, or diseased branches should be cut and those that are interfering with each other. While it is important to encourage new growth, excessive cutting can hinder this process.

• Mind the Time of Pruning

  Pruning mango trees can be done at any time, but this is generally advisable during the dry season when the tree is not actively growing. This is the reason explains that pruning during the rainy season is unhealthy because it can lead to the weakening of the trees. Rain causes the soil to become muddy and slippery, thus making it difficult to walk around the tree. Increased moisture levels also increase the chances of diseases. There is no danger of disease in a dry tree because, at that time, it is dormant and has no leaves that can come into contact with each other.

• Be Cautious with Cuts

  All cuts that are made during pruning should be clean and careful. Cuts that are careless tend to be large and ragged, exposing the inner part of the tree to pests and diseases. It also leads to a large loss of sap, which stresses the tree and invites insects. Ragged cuts take a longer time to heal and keep the tree vulnerable to diseases. Use appropriate tools when pruning to give the desired clean cut and reduce the chances of infection.

• No Heavy Branches to Cut

  Large or heavy branches should be left and not be cut by any means. These branches should not be pruned by an amateur because cutting these dangerous branches can injure the person doing the pruning. They are heavy and can crush the cutter if they fall unexpectedly. Such cuts also have the possibility of damaging the tree and causing health problems in the long term. If such branches require pruning, it is advisable to hire a professional or use the right tools.

• Wear Protective Gear

  Unless otherwise, this admittance always requires wearing protective gear when pruning. These include sturdy working gloves, goggles for the eyes, a hard hat for protection from falling branches, and long-sleeved, tough clothing to avoid scratches or cuts. Ensure proper grip to prevent the tools from slipping off and injuring oneself. Care should be taken to work at safe heights from ladders.

Q&A

Q1: When should mango trees be pruned?

A1: All of the cutting and pruning activities are advised to be carried out when the tree is not actively growing. This usually happens during the dry season, just before the flowering stage. The pruning should not happen during the rainy season because, at that time, the trees are actively growing with more leaves. This makes it hard to prune the tree properly because of the difficult angle you have to work at. It also increases the chances of being infected by various diseases. During the dry season, the trees are calm, so it's easy to prune them.

Q2: What tools are needed for pruning mango trees?

A2: The type of pruning that is to be done on the mango tree will determine the tool to use. For small branches, one should use pruning shears. For medium-sized branches, use loppers. A pruning saw is required to cut large branches. All these tools have to be cleaned with a sterilizing solution before and after use when there is disease or infection on the mango tree so that the diseases may not be transmitted to other mango trees.

Q3: Should the cut on the mango tree be covered with anything?

A3: There is no need to cover every single cut on the mango tree. The tree has lots of natural abilities to heal itself. Only in cases where large cuts have been made or when diseased branches have been removed do the cuts require any form of covering. It is recommended to use a pruning sealer to prevent insects and diseases from entering the tree.

Q4: Are there any diseases that are associated with the cutting of mango trees?

A3: Yes, there are several diseases that attack mango trees, especially when it is pruned. These include powdery mildew and mango leaf webber. Some of the so-called diseases of the mango tree are not diseases at all; they are infestations, such as mealybugs and mango tree hoppers.