Digging up a mango tree

[khoi1976]

So I need to dig up a mango tree . Should I cut back some of the branches? What the chance it’ll will 
Survived  ? The  tree truck is about 5 to 6 “  at the root.

Thanks

[Mark in Texas]

So I need to dig up a mango tree . Should I cut back some of the branches? What the chance it’ll will 
Survived  ? The  tree truck is about 5 to 6 “  at the root.

Thanks

NO way.  Not worth the grunt or the risk which is slim to none IMO.

[Bush2Beach]

If you must move it then yes cutting the smallest branches and defoliating can help it deal. Have the hole your putting it in ready to go and move it straight there when you dig it up.

[khoi1976]

So you don’t think the tree will servivied.

[khoi1976]

If you must move it then yes cutting the smallest branches and defoliating can help it deal. Have the hole your putting it in ready to go and move it straight there when you dig it up.

Yeah I have to move it . Remove all the leaf from the whole tree?

[WGphil]

Don’t see why it wouldn’t survive

You want to cut back so there isn’t too much green for the brown to feed

At least a third and more if it’s too heavy

Digging it out to save roots is more important than green at this point.

Mangos transplant pretty well and I believe the original Pickering was moved three times. 

[khoi1976]

Great

Don’t see why it wouldn’t survive

You want to cut back so there isn’t too much green for the brown to feed

At least a third and more if it’s too heavy

Digging it out to save roots is more important than green at this point.

Mangos transplant pretty well and I believe the original Pickering was moved three times. 

Great I’ll triednit this weeekend save as much root as possible . The tree is currently fruiting  and flowing . Should I go ahead and cut all the flower bloom and fruit.

[Seanny]

I'm helping a friend to move 2 big trees. Tree with dirt is very heavy.

We dig 18" trench away from trunk to 18" deep. Wait a month or so for new roots to form.  Then we hose off the dirt to move the tree.

This might be an option for you if you can't get tree out of the hole.

[WGphil]

You may have to dig it out to the point of bare root if it’s huge

A dirt ball is easier on the tree but don’t make it too hard to move.

You can cut it back and root prune now if you have time as it is easier on the tree.

But if no time to wait keep roots wet during move.

1/3 to 2/3 of green off and keep it watered and It should take

Plant at same depth as before

[khoi1976]

The tree is this big . From the picture the tree  look big but it’s really not that big .

[dragon]

The tree is this big . From the picture the tree  look big but it’s really not that big .

Do you have time to do airlayer ?  I saw some people in YouTube doing airlayer on mango..i

[khoi1976]

The tree is this big . From the picture the tree  look big but it’s really not that big .

Do you have time to do airlayer ?  I saw some people in YouTube doing airlayer on mango..i

No , I’m just going to tried and dig it up  hope it doesn’t die .

[WGphil]

A sawzall with a pruning blade works best on  bigger roots.  Great for bigger limbs but really makes root  pruning a snap.


Good luck

[Mark in Texas]

So you don’t think the tree will servivied.

No.  Didn't word it quite right but for me I don't think it's worth the risk of failure much less breaking your back.  Your cost for trees bought locally must be very low too.  We get the same mangos from the same sources as you guys and a 3 gal. from Houston's JRN nurseries is $35 for example.  A bit more in Corpus Christi and south.

If you must......... remove all fruit and flowers and get as much root mass as you can. 

A 5-6" tree trunk is a big ass trunk without a good tree spade.  You'd have pretty good success if the tree girth was say......1/2" to 1".  If it was mine I'd spray with a copper fungicide a couple of days before digging.

[skhan]

Here is what I would do:
Dig it out preserving as much of the roots as you can.
Top the tree way back and leave just a handful of leaves.
Remove all flowers and fruit.
Plant it in its spot and water it for a month (or in a pot)

Mark does make some good points though
The amount of money you'd spend on the soil (if in a pot) would probably cost more than a 3gal tree.
Fill a 25-gallon pot takes a good bit.

[Mark in Texas]

I'm on the fence regarding prevailing thought of removing a lot of top to balance it with the root loss.  Assuming it's to help prevent dehydration you're also removing the very food mechanism the plant uses to produce new tissue.  I also don't top a tree when I plant it in the ground whether it be bare root or out of a pot.

[WGphil]

My dad taught me how to transplant trees long ago and if you cut roots the top has to go too.

It’s a balance between the two that matches each other

Too little or too much of one and it’s gonna have a hard time surviving.

Transplanting a fruiting tree will get you fruit sooner than planting new.

If you have time to root prune it will increase chances but either way you will learn. 

Make sure it’s planted at same depth as before.  And have fun. 

[Mark in Texas]

My dad taught me how to transplant trees long ago.....

You made my point.   

Obviously, the practice of pruning the crown of a transplanted tree or shrub does not reflect what actually
happens to the plant physiologically. In addition to interfering with the plant's ability to establish its
roots, the removal of a significant portion of the crown also means the plant has lost biomass and cannot
photosynthesize at its previous level. Thus, plants that have been top pruned are hit with a "double
whammy:" part of their photosynthetic system is removed, and those resources that are left are directed
towards new shoot development. It's no surprise that root establishment under these conditions is
difficult.

 https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/transplant-pruning.pdf

[Seanny]

But I still disregard that. Can't move a big tree.

Do what ever you need. Top it if you must. I would. Just root prune a month before topping.

[Johnny Redland]

See the Haden I transplanted last year. Your tree is a baby compared to this one. We hacked every leafing branch off and dug a good root ball. Transplanted it and every other day for the first 30 days I drained a 55 gallon drum of water mixed with Super Thrive onto the base of the tree. The two photos show the tree’s recovery not even 10 months later. Didn’t show one sign of stress at any point. IMO mango trees are amongst the easiest trees to transplant. For me, Mamey is the most difficult

[OCchris1]

F yeah Johnny! Way to go. I love that. Chris

[Mark in Texas]

Ya can't argue with success, way to go!

See the Haden I transplanted last year. Your tree is a baby compared to this one. We hacked every leafing branch off and dug a good root ball. Transplanted it and every other day for the first 30 days I drained a 55 gallon drum of water mixed with Super Thrive onto the base of the tree. The two photos show the tree’s recovery not even 10 months later. Didn’t show one sign of stress at any point. IMO mango trees are amongst the easiest trees to transplant. For me, Mamey is the most difficult

[Johnny Redland]

F yeah Johnny! Way to go. I love that. Chris

Buddy told me he was gonna cut it down to make more room for his patio. I told him I don’t think so

[Cookie Monster]

Transplanting mango in mid summer gives the best chance for success. While mangoes are generally resistant to transplantation, doing it at the wrong time will kill even a small mango tree. You might be safe now that we're in spring, but they are semi bullet proof to transplant in summer.

[OCchris1]

That's just bada$$. Good job! Chris