I have a couple of mangoe trees that have been allowed to grow far to high how heavily can I prune and shorten then without causing harm ?

 

One of ours was blocking the view of the mountains (hills?) so last year the wife randomly hacked half of it away with a machete......it is now twice the size.

 

I wouldn't worry too much.

I am horrified by the way most trees get mutilated (no regard as to healing of wounds, respecting habitus, etc). But it is a fact that you can just cut most tropical trees brutally and they will grow back (brutally). The more you cut, the more they will regrow. With fruit trees, the regrowth won't be fruiting growth, just suckers. A year later you might want to remove most of the suckers. 

Remove the offending trees and replant elsewhere is my advice.

Hat-rack ‘em, they’ll come back.

There are videos on how to prune mango trees to get the best fruit next season. Basically clear the center of it to let light into the remaining branches. A heavy cut will not hurt them but be sure to prune them after each fruit season.

8 minutes ago, cooked said:

I am horrified by the way most trees get mutilated (no regard as to healing of wounds, respecting habitus, etc). But it is a fact that you can just cut most tropical trees brutally and they will grow back (brutally). The more you cut, the more they will regrow. With fruit trees, the regrowth won't be fruiting growth, just suckers. A year later you might want to remove most of the suckers. 

Remove the offending trees and replant elsewhere is my advice.

 

 

I have never seen so many mangoes on a tree since SWMBO mutilated ours......????

On 8/11/2025 at 10:37 AM, Will B Good said:

 

 

I have never seen so many mangoes on a tree since SWMBO mutilated ours......????

Yes, I know. But it doesn't show any respect or understanding for nature.

1 hour ago, cooked said:

Yes, I know. But it doesn't show any respect or understanding for nature.

 

Do they ever?.......it scares me rigid how much wildlife suffers when they're burning......January to May....endless burning, particularly the roadside verges.