I have 2 wonderful tangerine and lemon trees that I inherited when I moved into my new house 3 years ago. They are all in great need of pruning. The limbs are long and hang so heavy when they bear fruit that I have to prop them up. How do I prune them and when. And when and how do I fertilize them. thanks!
Mariec, Citrus trees can be pruned at any time of the year. Pruning, even hard pruning, does not hurt citrus. However, citrus trees are RARELY or NEVER pruned. After some years, depending on the speed of tree growth, climate and cultural practices, a SELECTIVE canopy thinning may be carried out. The choice of branches to eliminate is based on the concept that any space within the canopy must be covered by only one branch. It is not convenient to let surplus branches occupy the same aerial space. Anyway, thinning must not deplete any canopy sector. Suckers should only be kept if they occupy free spaces. After a few years they bear fruit, but all interior suckers must be cut. A harmonious citrus tree grows to an almost round shape (globe). Vegetation free canopy spaces must be avoided since they reduce yield. Growth and fruit production tend to take place towards the external part of the canopy. Inner growth tends to decrease gradually, then after years crops are reduced and fruits become smaller. This is the time to make sever cuts and renew growth. Know that any pruning will GREATLY reduce fruit production. - Millet
Thanks Millet. I'll have to take a closer look at the canopy of the trees. Also, do you have any info on fertilizing the lemon and tangerine trees? mc
Mariec, I take it your lemon and tangerine trees are at least 5 years old. If this is true the fertilizer rates and applications are listed below: Amount of actual nitrogen per tree per year = 1.1 to 1.4-lbs. You can use fertilizers with the formula 6-6-6, 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. If 6-6-6 is used, apply 18 to 23-lbs./tree/year in 3 applications per year If 8-8-8 is used, apply 14 to 18-lbs./tree/year in 3 applications per year If 10-10-10 is used apply 11 to 14 lbs./tree/year in 3 applications per year Divide "Lbs. Fertilizer/tree/year" by "Applications/year" to determine how many lbs. fertilizer to apply at each application. For mature bearing trees on well drained soils three applications of fertilizer per year are sufficient One application in spring, a second application in summer and a third application in fall (no later than September 15th). - Millet
