Example methods and apparatus for hierarchical bandwidth management are disclosed. An example method includes, receiving a data packet in a first data flow and determining if a rate of the first flow is less than or equal to a first threshold. If he first rate is less than or equal to the first threshold, the packet is marked with a first marker type. If the first rate is greater than the first threshold, the packet is marked with a second marker type. The example method further includes combining the first flow with a second data flow to produce a third data flow. If the packet is marked with the first marker type, the packet is forwarded in the third data flow. If the packet is marked with the second marker type and a rate of the third flow is less than or equal to a second threshold, the second marker type is changed to the first marker type and data packet is forwarded in the third flow. If the packet is marked with the second marker type and the rate of third flow is greater than the second threshold, the data packet is discarded.