Young Mango tree bending over :(

[jemmalh]

I have a young dwarf mango tree that is approx. 2 years old. I made the mistake of leaving it attached to the stake it came with until quite recently. The tree is flourishing and doing really well with plenty of new growth, however the trunk is just bending right over, probably because it was staked for too long and didn’t develop a strong enough trunk. I want to cut the newer branches off to ease some of the weight but I’m worried about putting the tree into shock or something. How do I fix this problem!?

 

[Silentrunning]

Get it tied back up to the stake immediately. It may take as muck as two more years for the trunk to be strong enough to support the weight. Don’t trim the trunk just yet but you could prune a few inches off the branches. After you see how the tree reacts you can trim a bit off the trunk. I had my mango trees where they received sunlight all day and didn’t have any problems with trunk strength.

 

[Chuck]

Using one stake in a container is OK short term but, for straightening a trunk and planting trees 3 stakes should be used. Get 3 stakes and stake them 120 degrees apart outside of the container and tie the trunk/trunks loosely to them. Tie them loose enough so that the wind can still move the trunk. If you do this you will not have to prune anything.

 

[Akmal1]

Hello

I planted a mango tree and it is from graft, crooked at the base. Will it correct itself or will the crocked trunk cause issues as it grows.

I have provided support for the trunk so it grows straight from the top.

Also it is planted in a whole at depth due to the tip being surrounded by concrete. The depth it is planted at is open and will allow roots to grow out. If I plant at the top will it be ok so the roots grow down or will the circle?

 

[Chuck]

Your tree is planted a little too deep. The large roots (root flare) should be visible. Otherwise it will be OK.

 

[Akmal1]

Hi

I planted it as it was from the container
I then did remove mud to uncover the top roots before covering them again to check the depth. The roots are maybe 1 cm under the soil.

The roots are very small yet so no visble rootflar as the tree is maybe 2 years old. Should I I he able to see a root flare already?

 

[Chuck]

Hi

I planted it as it was from the container
I then did remove mud to uncover the top roots before covering them again to check the depth. The roots are maybe 1 cm under the soil.

The roots are very small yet so no visble rootflar as the tree is maybe 2 years old. Should I I he able to see a root flare already?

It has at least one large root and probably 3 and you will be able to see it.

 

[Akmal1]

Ok, I will be visiting my house again in December so will check again and remove soil from its base.

Thank you

 

[Akmal1]

Hi Chuck,

Can you tell If this is from a graft. I have some doubts.

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck,

Can you tell If this is from a graft. I have some doubts.

I think it is a graft but from these pictures difficult to say for sure. It looks like a graft about 4 inches from the soil but mangos are usually grafted higher.

 

[Akmal1]

Thanks, what would you recommend? Should I leave it or should I try and find 1 that's better and replace?

Will it have issues if I just leave it?

 

[Chuck]

Thanks, what would you recommend? Should I leave it or should I try and find 1 that's better and replace?

Will it have issues if I just leave it?

If you leave the tree as is, it will have problems. The root flare must be exposed. Have the root flare exposed and the tree will probably be OK in time. If it were me I would replace the tree with a better specimen if possible. Where is this tree growing?

 

[Akmal1]

Ok, I will have to try and change the tree the next time I am there. Its planted in Pakistan so weather should not be an issue just need to find a good specimen.