We go through the proper pruning technique and what times of the year are important to prune your tree. Try not to trim down more than 20% of your tree at any given time. As a rule, citrus trees require very little pruning for fruiting performance. If you want to avoid pruning branches that are heading in the wrong direction, attach small weights to the ends of them. Pruning citrus trees is a different process than pruning other fruit trees for two main reasons. It’s always important to gear up. Have a trusty pair of pruning shears or a small hand-held saw depending on the size and age of your tree. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. It is not necessary to prune citrus to produce fruit. Cut halfway through the branch. Go slowly when trimming, so that you’ll avoid cutting your fingers or hands. Might be time for a 'skeleton prune' to coax it back to vigour. The best times to do it are either in April or in late August to early September. It often takes between 2-3 years to go from a “skeletonized” tree to a productive one. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. reduces yield in proportion to the amount of foliage removed and can delay fruiting of young, nonbearing trees. Pruning is the answer. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. The first cut should be made 10 to 12 inches out from where your final cut will be made. At least once a year, perform a close inspection of your tree. Citrus Tree Pruning Principles and Practices1 D.P.H. First Fresh - Pruning Citrus Trees Page | 2 Chunk pruning on older trees allows light into the centre of the tree. There are several reasons why you may want to prune a citrus tree. Removing more than one-third of the branches … If you see a number of tiny holes on a gall, the wasps have already come out of the stem. A lot of old trees suffer from problems, such as biennial bearing, cankers, powdery mildew, and scabs. If the bottom of the canopy is low, hanging down, or starting to show signs of disease, then it should be removed. For branches that need to be removed, use a hand pruner or lopper. In frost free regions, pruning can be done at any time of year, including winter. Bark exposed to the bright sun may become sunburned, which can cause cankers and cracking. Any limb that looks as if it's ailing should be removed to keep any potential problems from spreading. Start by cutting on the underside of the branch. Older, overgrown citrus trees can be reworked to the desired shape using secateurs, hedge clippers or a chainsaw. suggestions. SERIES 31 | Episode 28. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you don't want a branch to grow back, prune it flush with the collar and not the trunk. Oh yeah... and citruses look awesome! From November to January, avoid removing even sprouts, which can cause re-growth of the sprout only to have it become damaged from cold weather, which could affect the health of the tree. This initial pruning helps bring into balance the tops of the plants and the root system. Growing Dwarf Citrus Trees Indoors, Part 1. In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Following careful trimming practices will make it possible for your tree to grow and thrive. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Once a citrus tree is established and producing fruit, it needs to be fully pruned every 12 months. Pruning is one of the important tasks to perform on young citrus trees to train them into the desired growth pattern. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. AZ1455. If you're planning to plant a citrus tree or you've already got one in your yard, you should know the proper pruning technique. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/citrus-tree-pruning.htm Also, you can keep it to the size that you desire. Do you have a mature lemon tree that's really slowing down? Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Look for diseased, dead, or infested branches that need to be removed. For the most part, minimal pruning is all that's required to keep a citrus tree healthy and productive. allow light penetration into the canopy. In February: Reshape plants by the removing overcrowded branches. Not quite as well clipped as a topiary but neat nonetheless. Generally, citrus trees only require pruning to remove crowded branches and gently shape the tree. There are plenty of bad reasons though. The extra light also improves the colour of … By using our site, you agree to our. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. To help the paint adhere, scrub the bark with a water and soap mixture prior to painting. In fact, some say that citrus trees don’t need to be pruned at all. Pruning citrus can often have folks bamboozled, as they’re often either full of fruit or blossoms. Zone Azores | skindivers1 added on February 13, 2017 | Answered. Simon Marshall, landscape designer, permie and pruner to the stars gives us the basics on how, when and why you might think about pruning citrus trees.. The worst reason, or way, to prune a citrus tree that I’ve encountered is opening up the tree’s canopy so the interior gets sunlight. Trim your branches high enough off the ground, so that the leaves will not get wet from water splashes from rain or water sprinklers. Overgrown citrus trees. Large branches might require a curved tree saw. Pruning young citrus trees is … 7 Look for signs of pests and disease and treat them accordingly. We welcome your comments and {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Prune-Citrus-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Citrus-Trees-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Prune-Citrus-Trees-Step-1.jpg\/aid9513953-v4-728px-Prune-Citrus-Trees-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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