How to prune an old mango tree?

Isle

How can we prune an old mango tree without devastating or killing it?

Hello out there! We are adding a small roof area to our verandah which sadly necessitates pruning our very old yet still productive mango tree.
We live in northern NSW, Australia (near Kyogle/Casino towns). I don't know the exact age of the tree but it seems to have been here for decades.

It has three main arms. The base has a diameter of approx 55cm.
It still fruits. I don't know the name but the ripe skin is pale yellow with some rosiness, and the flesh is a pale to medium orange with smooth stringless flesh - very tasty.


Our area is relatively dry, although not officially in drought. Being on top of a hill the great view comes at the cost of exposure and high winds.

Of the eight main arms we may have to cut off three of the largest ones. A neighbour said she thought such heavy pruning might kill the whole tree. Is this a likely outcome?

If anyone has any advice about the how-to's and the what-might-happen's it would be thoroughly appreciated.

Warmest regards
Isle

Victor Lindsay

I just did a copy paste here, but every few years here in Florida, I give my clients mango trees a heavy pruning. They come back very full, and the following year produce heavy.

here is the site... http://tiny.cc/5n7hy Mango Growing in the Florida Home Landscape

Spacing and Pruning
Mango trees in the home landscape should be planted 25 to 30 feet or more (7.6 to 9.1 m) away from buildings, electrical wires, or other trees. This is because if trees are left unpruned, they will become large to very large.

Formative pruning of young trees may be advantageous because it by increases the number of lateral branches and establishes a strong framework for subsequent fruit production. After several years of production, it is desirable to cut back the tops of trees allowed to grow to 12 to 15 feet (3.7-4.6 m). However, through judicious pruning mango trees may be limited to 6 to 15 ft in height. Selective removal of a few upper limbs back to their origins (crotches) each year will help prevent the loss of the lower tree canopy, reduce the work and time to spray and harvest the fruit and greatly reduce possible storm damage. Pruning should be done soon after harvest. Severe pruning (used to reduce canopy height or width of very large trees) does not injure mango trees, but reduces production for one to several seasons.

Once mango trees become 30 ft (9 m) or taller extreme caution should be used in pruning the trees. Climbing trees to prune them is dangerous and not recommended. Pruning of large mango trees should be done by a professional arborist who is licensed and insured