The Mango tree is native to Burma and NE India and lives for more than a century. This tree is believed to have been planted as a fruit tree in India as far back as 2000 BC. It is widely grown in South Africa, and the main production regions are the Northern Province and Mpumalanga. This tree grows well in humid, warm conditions where enough water is available during the fruit development stage.

Mangifera indica is a medium to large evergreen tree with a mature height of 9 to 35m. It has a long tap root, up to 6 m in depth, and a dense mass of feeding roots just beneath the soil surface. The leaves are simple, leathery, and pointed, and will emit a distinct turpentine odour when crushed in many cultivars. Mango trees attract bees for pollination, as well as butterflies and birds (such as parakeets and hornbills) that feed on the fruit and call the tree home, thus promoting garden biodiversity.

Mangifera indica has different varieties that have different times of ripening, fruit size, appearance, taste, and quality of fruit. They are characterized by various factors, including the time of ripening, fruit size, external appearance, and fruit quality. The Tommy Atkins variety is one of the earliest to mature and bears large fruit of 450 to 700g. The skin has an attractive red colour, and the fruit has a good shelf life.

In South Africa, mango trees are primarily used in landscaping for their edible fruit, shade, and aesthetic appeal. The tree’s dense, evergreen foliage provides extensive shade, which helps create a cooler microclimate on hot days. This makes them ideal for creating natural seating areas or cooling a property.

Mangoes are alternate-bearing trees, which means that the fruits vary in size from one year to the next. Good orchard management practices, such as fertilisation, can reduce fruit differences.  Ripe fruit can be distinguished by its softer texture and a mild aroma of mango.