Mangoes are definitely one of the most delicious fruits out there! Sweet, juicy, and as cheerful as the sun, we just can’t get enough of these golden orbs from the Mangifera indica tree.
So, why would someone want to say “Goodbye!” to a mango tree? Well, sometimes folks just want to switch up their outdoor game and try something fresh!
If you’re that someone, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tried-and-tested methods for killing that mango tree.
How to Kill a Mango Tree
Small mango trees can be hand-pulled, repeatedly mowed, dug out, cut and applied with herbicides, sprayed with herbicides, or applied with herbicides at the basal bark.
For larger mango trees, they can be ground at the stump, cut and applied with herbicides, girdled, felled under controlled conditions, excavated, or professionally removed.
Now, when it comes to classifying the size of a Mangifera indica tree, there are a few things we consider: height, trunk diameter, and canopy spread. These factors can really make a difference in determining whether a tree is small or large.
How to Kill a Small Mango Tree
Hand-pulling
| Difficulty | Beginner ●○○○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Saplings and small trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment |
Well, when it comes to those adorable little mango saplings or young trees with their dainty, shallow root systems, you might want to give the ol’ hand-pulling technique a shot.
Now, mind you, this method works like a charm when the soil is feeling all nice and moist, lending a helping hand by loosening those stubborn roots.
| How to Do Hand-pulling 1. Position yourself near the base of the tree. 2. Firmly grip the trunk with your hand. 3. Apply gentle but steady upward force to the tree. 4. Remove the roots as you proceed. |
Repeated Mowing or Trimming
| Difficulty | Beginner ●○○○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Saplings and small trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Mower |
Now, if you find yourself faced with an army of troublesome mango saplings or simply have a few pint-sized ones causing mischief, fear not! I’ve got just the trick for you.
| How to Do Repeated Mowing or Trimming 1. Set a regular schedule for cutting back those sprouts. 2. Aim to bring the sprouts as close to the ground as possible and trim them down diligently. 3. By snipping their foliage repeatedly, you’ll sap the trees’ energy reserves, leaving them gasping for growth. 4. Continue trimming until the mango sapling dies off. |
Digging
| Difficulty | Intermediate ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Saplings and small trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Shovel or spade |
Well, if you find yourself in a situation where hand-pulling won’t do the trick or you’re dealing with a tree that’s a bit more stubborn with its roots, you’ll need to bring out the heavy artillery.
It’s time to get down and dirty and bring out the super shovel or the trusty small garden spade!
| How to Do Digging 1. Begin by carefully excavating a trench around the tree, gradually revealing the roots to the surface. 2. Maintain a methodical approach, expanding the trench both in depth and width, ensuring thorough exposure of the root ball. 3. Proceed with caution, cutting through each root individually to detach them from the surrounding soil. 4. Employ precision and finesse while executing the cutting process, ensuring the roots are cleanly severed. 5. With the roots successfully severed, apply controlled force to remove the tree from its underground position. 6. Exercise care to extract the tree, including its complete root system, from the ground. |
Cutting and Herbicide Application (Cut Surface Treatment)
| Difficulty | Intermediate ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Small to medium trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Ax or chainsaw • Herbicide of choice • Herbicide applicator or paintbrush |
Now, if you happen to find yourself faced with a Mangifera indica tree that’s a tad bigger than a mere seedling and you’re contemplating its complete removal, fear not, for I have a solution that’ll leave you feeling like a horticultural hero.
| How to Do Cutting and Herbicide Application 1. Prepare your cutting tool for use. 2. Trim the tree close to the ground. 3. Apply a herbicide containing glyphosate to the freshly cut stump. 4. Stick strictly to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying the herbicide to prevent any potential environmental accidents. |
Foliar Spray
| Difficulty | Intermediate ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Small to medium trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Herbicide of choice • Herbicide sprayer or applicator |
The art of foliar spraying is like giving your mango tree a personalized herbicidal spa treatment. Imagine you’ve got a small tree or pesky plants that need some serious targeting without wreaking havoc on the surrounding greenery.
That’s when foliar spraying swoops in to save the day!
| How to Do Foliar Spray 1. Select a herbicide specifically formulated for targeting woody plants or broadleaf weeds. 2. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for accurate dilution rates and application techniques. 3. Prepare a spray bottle or sprayer for the herbicidal application. 4. Ensure thorough coverage of each leaf, emphasizing precision and meticulousness. 5. Recognize that the leaves serve as the entry point to the Mangifera indica roots. 6. Apply the herbicide to the leaves, allowing it to be absorbed and transported to the roots, which will gradually lead to the decline of the tree. 7. Ensure precision and technique in foliar spraying. |
Basal Bark Treatment
| Difficulty | Intermediate ●●○○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Small to medium trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Herbicide of choice • Herbicide sprayer or applicator |
This method is a nimble process of herbicide application, right at the tree’s lower trunk or bark. It’s like giving the tree a spa treatment, but with a twist!
We reserve this method for our petite mango trees, those with a diameter of less than 6 inches.
| How to Do Basal Bark Treatment 1. Prepare the herbicide mixture by combining herbicide with an appropriate carrier oil such as diesel fuel or horticultural oil. 2. Apply the mixture to the tree’s bark, ensuring complete coverage from ground level up to approximately 12 to 18 inches above the soil line. 3. Allow the tree’s bark to absorb the herbicide, which will gradually and effectively eliminate the tree. |
How To Kill a Large Mango Tree
Stump Grinding after Cutting Tree Down
| Difficulty | Intermediate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Any tree size |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Immediate |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Ax or chainsaw • Stump grinder |
So, you’ve decided to bid farewell to your towering Mangifera indica tree. But alas, now you face the daunting task of dealing with the stubborn stump that remains.
| How to Do Stump Grinding after Cutting Tree Down 1. Prepare the stump grinder machine for operation. 2 Position the grinder over the stump, ensuring stability and safety. 3. Activate the grinder and initiate the grinding process. 4. Gradually guide the grinder in a downward motion, systematically grinding the stump. 5. Continue grinding until the stump is completely leveled and buried beneath the surface. 6. Dispose of the ground stump debris appropriately. 7. Restore the area to its desired state, ensuring a clean and tidy appearance. |
Cutting and Herbicide Application (Cut Surface Treatment)
| Difficulty | Intermediate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Any tree size |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Ax or chainsaw • Herbicide of choice • Herbicide applicator or paintbrush |
The secret to conquering those mighty trees lies within this amazing technique, applicable to both the towering giants and their smaller counterparts.
| How to Do Cutting and Herbicide Application 1. Begin by promptly cutting down the large mango tree, leaving behind a freshly cut stump. 2. Select an appropriate herbicide specifically designed for eliminating woody plants or stumps. 3. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines meticulously to achieve optimal results. 4. Timing is crucial, so apply the herbicide immediately after cutting the tree for maximum efficacy. |
Girdling or Ring Bark Treatment
| Difficulty | Intermediate ●●●○○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Large trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Ax or chainsaw |
Girdling is a fascinating method which cleverly disrupts the flow of sap and nutrients within a tree, ultimately sealing its fate. Imagine a large mango tree, standing tall and mighty.
| How to Do Girdling or Ring Bark Treatment 1. Make a deep incision encircling the trunk, cutting through the bark and cambium layer. 2. Ensure the cut reaches the inner wood for a secure grip. 3. Remove a strip of bark, approximately 2 to 4 inches wide, as this will impede the flow of water, nutrients, and sugars, weakening the tree. 4. Monitor the tree’s progress closely and repeat the process if there are signs of regrowth. Note that the desired outcome may take time to manifest, so be patient. |
Controlled Tree Felling
| Difficulty | Advanced ●●●●○ |
| Ideal Tree Size | Large trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Dependent on individual skills |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Ax or chainsaw |
If you’ve got plenty of room to spare and happen to be a seasoned tree whisperer, controlled tree felling might just be your jam!
| How to Do Controlled Tree Felling 1. Assess the lean of the tree and determine the desired falling direction. 2. Handle your blade with precision, executing calculated cuts to ensure controlled felling. 3. Take into account potential obstacles such as birdhouses or lawn gnomes. 4. Prioritize safety by planning a clear escape route, similar to a secret agent evading capture. 5. Consider seeking professional assistance for a smooth and secure tree felling process. |
Excavation and Root Removal
| Difficulty | Expert ●●●●● |
| Ideal Tree Size | Large trees |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Weeks to months |
| Things You Need | • Personal protective equipment • Excavators or backhoes |
Tackling the task of uprooting a mighty mango tree is no small feat! We’re talking about some serious effort here, possibly even involving some heavy machinery.
| How to Do Excavation and Root Removal 1. Prepare the area for excavation. 2. Deploy the excavator or backhoe. 3. Navigate carefully around the tree, exposing its root system. 4. Execute strategic cutting and gradual removal of the roots. 5. Exercise caution and attentiveness throughout the excavation process. 6. Prioritize the protection of surrounding structures and utilities. 7. Ensure no accidental damage occurs to these elements. |
Professional Tree Removal
| Difficulty | Expert ●●●●● |
| Ideal Tree Size | Any tree size |
| Estimated Time for Tree to Die | Dependent on professionals |
| Things You Need | Contact number of a professional tree removal expert services |
When it comes to saying goodbye to those towering Mangifera indica trees, bringing in the experts in tree removal is undoubtedly the smartest move. Not only does it ensure your safety, but it also guarantees a smooth and efficient process.
| How to Do Professional Tree Removal 1. Get the numbers of your preferred professional tree removal experts. 2. Contact one or more to get a good quotation. 3. Select the one you are most confident in. |
Can I kill a mango tree without cutting it down?
You can kill a mango tree without cutting it down.
You can take your pick from the following methods: hand-pulling, repeated mowing, digging, spraying with herbicide, treating the basal bark with herbicide, or girdling or ring bark treatment.
FAQs
Salt can’t kill mango trees. Salt can negatively impact the growth and health of a mango tree, but it is unlikely to directly kill the tree.
In some places, it is legal to kill a mango tree. The legality of killing a mango tree depends on local laws and regulations.
It’s advisable to check with relevant authorities before taking any action.
It may take several months to years to completely kill a mango tree. The time it takes to kill a mango tree can vary depending on various factors such as the tree’s age, health, and the method used.
There are eco-friendly methods available to remove a mango tree. These methods often involve professional assistance and can include techniques like manual removal, stump grinding, or the use of organic herbicides.
It’s best to consult with experts to determine the most suitable approach.
