Do mango trees survive cold winters?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Mature mango trees tolerate brief exposure to 30°F (-1°C), but extended exposure to frost will kill flowers and young fruit. A neighbor has a 15-year-old tree that survived a rare Texas freeze because he wrapped its trunk with burlap. Young trees need protection from frost below 50°F (10°C), so plant them only after the frost risk has passed.
Mature Tree Care
- Install micro-sprinklers to raise air temperature by 5°F
- Mulch 6 inches deep around the drip line
- Avoid pruning after August to prevent tender growth
Sapling Protection
- Wrap trunks with insulated tree guards
- Use incandescent Christmas lights under frost cloth
- Keep soil moist, water before predicted frosts
Ice Cream mangoes thrive in marginal climates. I have a customer in Georgia who grows them up against a south-facing stone wall, the thermal mass provides a buffer for temperature swings. In addition, you can also plant trees next to structures and against evergreen windbreaks to lessen frost exposure. Lastly, stay away from depressions where cold air settles.
Care for freeze-damaged trees. Seaweed extract can be applied to the foliage to help reduce the shock. I was able to save a sapling tree after cutting the blackened branches back to green wood and applying mycorrhizal inoculant. If any of the buds are still viable, you should see some surprise come next spring. It may take some work to assess the total damage through the dormant state of the tree.
Read the full article: How to Grow a Mango Tree from Seed in 5 Steps
