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Tropical Fruits

Avocado and Mango Pruning - too late in the season?

13 years ago

I have an eight foot tall avocado tree that needs pruning as well as couple of young Mangoes that I recently repotted to 25 gallon containers. They all need some pruning and shaping. I read some pruning literature saying not to prune in late summer. Any advice? Is it too late? I live in Lafayette, LA. Thanks in advance

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Comments (8)

hmhausman
13 years ago
The best time to prune is just after fruiting. But, either will do fine with pruning any time. Pruning in the later part of Fall can cause some reduction in bloom....sometimes, but otherwise, the trees do fine. August is a great time to prune.

Harry
puglvr1
13 years ago
I just pruned these these a few weeks ago...its starting to
flush with new growths. Wish we could get a little more rain to really soak the ground. We need it, its been very dry again! Now if only Jack Frost would stay away this coming winter...should be hardened off by the time the colder weather gets here.
Keitt

Potted Glenn
{{gwi:53979}}
Another Glenn
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misterrandy
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the advice and great pics of the mangoes. My avocado took a beating last winter-barely survived. I will do a much better job of protecting all of them this winter(the mangoes are new). I will post pics when they are looking good.
hmhausman
13 years ago
Nancy:

As much as I hate to prune my trees back......I hate losing all that growth....I can't do anything but admire how nice your trees look. When I get the time...in my retirement years (if they ever get here), I may have to become a more avid pruner. Not promising anything. I do wonder how heavy fruit set affects these trees that are so vertically challenged. I have had a Bombay mango totally break down with a heavy crop as it had grown much more laterally than upwards. I'll be watching as you encounter this heavy fruiting phenomenon on your trees. Keep up the good work.

Harry
puglvr1
13 years ago
Thanks Randy and Harry! Appreciate the kind words.

Hi Harry, if I can get just one year w/out these damaging severe freezes I would be able to tell just how well these guys fruit after all my severe pruning. I can't seem to catch a break :o( Here's hoping for an early retirement for you,lol...then you will have so much time to prune your trees...I'm not too far if you need some help :o)

Keeping fingers crossed for a milder winter...gosh knows we're due for one.
mango_kush
13 years ago
i think we should definitely have a milder winter, last year was a freak winter oscillation here, this summer is really warm.
ohiojay
13 years ago
Lovely trees. I would think after several prunings to keep those sizes and shapes, the lateral branches would really start to beef up. Good job. I hope you get a good, mild winter.
puglvr1
13 years ago
Mango kush...I really hope you're right.

Thanks Jay! Appreciate the well wishes for a mild winter too!

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