CITRUS PRUNING:
Pruning techniques for tree health, pest
control, fruit production and size control:
Tree Shapes
• Citrus trees are generally pruned to a central leader or a modified central
leader shape.
• A full canopy of leaves should be maintained in order to protect the bark of
the trunk and scaffold branches from direct sun and potential sunburn.
• Trees can have branches close to the ground (have a full skirt) or can have
the lower branches pruned off to expose the trunk.
• When the lower branches have been removed, the tree is said to be skirted
• Multiple trees are
sometimes planted
together in one hole to
produce what appears to
be a single tree with
multiple trunks.
• Although each individual
tree will produce less
fruit, multiple plantings
will result in a greater
variety of fruit or in an
extended period of fruit
harvest in the space of a
single tree.
• The tree trunks are planted close together and are angled outward at a 30 degree
angle from vertical.
• Trees should be selected on rootstocks which will produce trees of similar size and
vigor so that one tree does not dominate the planting and overgrow the other trees.
Tree Size
• The size of a citrus tree is dependant on the citrus variety, on the rootstock
and on how the tree is pruned.
• Trees are available on standard, dwarf (semi-dwarf), and true dwarf (flying
dragon) rootstocks.
• Standard citrus trees will reach an average mature height of 18-30 feet.
• Dwarf (semi-dwarf) citrus trees will reach an average mature height of 8-15
feet.
• True dwarf (on flying dragon rootstock) citrus trees will reach an average
mature height of 4-8 feet.
• A few citrus varieties are genetically small trees such as the Improved Meyer
Lemon, the Mexican Lime, the Owari Satsuma Mandarin and several
kumquat and kumquat hybrids.
• Pruning can reduce the mature height and width of a citrus tree by an
average of 15-40%
Understanding Citrus Growth
• Citrus growth occurs in several flushes during each year depending on
climate. Two to four growth flushes each year are common.
• The 1st growth occurs as straight vertical shoots. No side branches occur on
these shoots during this initial growth period. The growth will eventually stop
and the tree will enter a resting period.
• Side branching develops on these vertical shoots during the next growth of flush.
Citrus Pruning
• Citrus trees should be pruned for health, for structural strength, to reduced
pest problems, to direct or redirect growth, for shape, for fruit production and
to control size.
• Most citrus trees benefit from being pruned every two to 5 years.
• Pruning is best done in the early spring or in the early fall. Sufficient time
should be given after pruning to allow new growth to develop before the
occurrence of very hot or very cold weather which could result in injury to the
tree.
• Pruning should be limited to the removal of no more than 15-20% of the
foliage at any one time in order to reduce the effects of stress to the tree.
• If sufficient foliage is removed so that the bark of the tree is exposed to
direct sunlight, the bark should be whitewashed in order to prevent sunscald
or sunburn.
Pruning techniques for tree health, pest
control, fruit production and size control:
Tree Shapes
• Citrus trees are generally pruned to a central leader or a modified central
leader shape.
• A full canopy of leaves should be maintained in order to protect the bark of
the trunk and scaffold branches from direct sun and potential sunburn.
• Trees can have branches close to the ground (have a full skirt) or can have
the lower branches pruned off to expose the trunk.
• When the lower branches have been removed, the tree is said to be skirted
• Multiple trees are
sometimes planted
together in one hole to
produce what appears to
be a single tree with
multiple trunks.
• Although each individual
tree will produce less
fruit, multiple plantings
will result in a greater
variety of fruit or in an
extended period of fruit
harvest in the space of a
single tree.
• The tree trunks are planted close together and are angled outward at a 30 degree
angle from vertical.
• Trees should be selected on rootstocks which will produce trees of similar size and
vigor so that one tree does not dominate the planting and overgrow the other trees.
Tree Size
• The size of a citrus tree is dependant on the citrus variety, on the rootstock
and on how the tree is pruned.
• Trees are available on standard, dwarf (semi-dwarf), and true dwarf (flying
dragon) rootstocks.
• Standard citrus trees will reach an average mature height of 18-30 feet.
• Dwarf (semi-dwarf) citrus trees will reach an average mature height of 8-15
feet.
• True dwarf (on flying dragon rootstock) citrus trees will reach an average
mature height of 4-8 feet.
• A few citrus varieties are genetically small trees such as the Improved Meyer
Lemon, the Mexican Lime, the Owari Satsuma Mandarin and several
kumquat and kumquat hybrids.
• Pruning can reduce the mature height and width of a citrus tree by an
average of 15-40%
Understanding Citrus Growth
• Citrus growth occurs in several flushes during each year depending on
climate. Two to four growth flushes each year are common.
• The 1st growth occurs as straight vertical shoots. No side branches occur on
these shoots during this initial growth period. The growth will eventually stop
and the tree will enter a resting period.
• Side branching develops on these vertical shoots during the next growth of flush.
Citrus Pruning
• Citrus trees should be pruned for health, for structural strength, to reduced
pest problems, to direct or redirect growth, for shape, for fruit production and
to control size.
• Most citrus trees benefit from being pruned every two to 5 years.
• Pruning is best done in the early spring or in the early fall. Sufficient time
should be given after pruning to allow new growth to develop before the
occurrence of very hot or very cold weather which could result in injury to the
tree.
• Pruning should be limited to the removal of no more than 15-20% of the
foliage at any one time in order to reduce the effects of stress to the tree.
• If sufficient foliage is removed so that the bark of the tree is exposed to
direct sunlight, the bark should be whitewashed in order to prevent sunscald
or sunburn.
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