Mango Tree (Mangifera indica) is well known for its delicious fruits. The fruits are sweet to eat because it contains sugar. The trees are growing well in tropical countries. People starts growing this tree because they wanted to have mangoes on their plate at often times. Growing this makes them also wonder on how long is the lifespan of mango tree.
There are many trees in the world and they have corresponding life expectancy. Some can grow longer and some are shorter. The lifespan of the tree also have some factors that affect its length. Knowing how long do mango trees live will give the growers an idea for how long they can get and enjoy fruits from their tree.
Lifespan of Mango Tree
The average lifespan of mango tree is around 100 to 200 years. They can live longer and grows bigger. This tree can also grows up to 300+ years. It is a hardwood, strong and can stay healthy and produce fruits for years. There are some trees that even they are over 200 years old but still they are bearing fruits.
The mango trees can grow up to 100 feet (30 meters) high. During its early stage, it is small. But as times goes by its branches grow bigger and longer, grows taller, roots are establish and begins to mature. After reaching its maturity stage it starts to bloom and to fruits. The tree will begins to fruit at the age of five but it is also possible as early as three to four years old.
During its fruiting stage you will wonder how long you can enjoy its fruits. The good thing is you can have it for years to come. At the year 5 it can bear fruits and the peak of its fruiting stage is between 10 to 20 years. So you can enjoy the fruits for longer time. Even the tree is over 20 years old, it can still bear more fruits.
Factors That Affect The Mango Tree Lifespan
Sunlight
In order for the trees to grow and thrive it needs sunlight. Sunlight requirement for mango tree is atleast six hours. They need to stay longer under the sun to make its food. The sunlight is process under the photosynthesis and eventually turns into sugar what the tree is consume.
When the tree is getting enough sunlight every day, weeks, months and years of their growing they can live longer. If the tree is not getting the right amount of sunlight, it can cause for yellowing of the leaves, not thriving well, smaller and less fruits. The tree will be stress and might cause shorter lifespan of the tree for the long run. So the best way is grow the tree in an area where it can receives longer hours under the sun.
Rainfall
The mango tree needs water to grow well, and rainfall can helps to its growth. Young trees need to water regularly to help them establish for around two years but mature trees doesn’t need to water much often. Older trees can live without water for a couple of days or weeks because they can retain water. But during the hot weather days especially summer they need to receive water to stays cool.
Some planters don’t even water them because they depends on the rainfall. Rainfall is a great source of water for the tree. It helps them to be refresh and to grows well. But too much rainfall for long consecutive days is not good for the tree. The tree might be drowned and have a root rot. When it happens the tree might experience stress. It can also affect the mango tree lifespan.
Nutrients
Nutrients that are found on the soil is maybe because it’s natural or through the application of organic or synthetic fertilizer. There are soil that are naturally rich in nutrients. Some reasons are there are more organic matters decay on that area and it makes the soil rich. Improving the soil is also possible by putting some compost, animal manure or synthetic fertilizer. Making the soil rich in nutrients will help to the growth of the tree.
But over fertilizing can hurt your mango tree. Fertilizers especially the synthetic one has chemicals content and needs to be careful in applying. Too much fertilizer can cause some damage to its roots like burn. Read the direction on how to apply the fertilizer or maybe just use compost to prevent damaging the tree.
Pests and Diseases
The lifespan of mango tree is also affected by the pests and diseases. There are some bugs that feed on the tree. Some of those eat and damage the leaves. The leaves are important part of the tree and pests must be control by applying insecticides or pesticides. Also some of them eat and damage the fruits.
Some diseases of the tree are anthracnose and powdery mildew. Its a fungal diseases that attack and damage the panicles, flowers and fruits. The control for these diseases is by using fungicides. It can help to control and prevent further damages. If the mango tree don’t have pests and diseases it can lives longer.
Those are some informations about the lifespan of mango tree. It can grows around 100 to 200 years and even as long as 300+. Even the tree is older, there is still a possibility for them to bloom and bear fruits. Making them stays healthy is a good factor.
Knowing how long do mango trees live is amazing. Who knows they can live for many years. 100 years is equal to 10 decades or 1 century and 200 years is 20 decades 2 century. That is a long period of time and you can enjoy harvesting and enjoy its fruits.
