Learn the best techniques for trimming branches so your lemon tree thrives.
Knowing when and how toprune a lemon treecorrectly will help you get the most out of your plant.
Though most citrus trees grow slowly and rarely need pruning,lemon trees are unique.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Known to grow vigorouslyto the detriment of fruit production in some caseslemon trees benefit from annual pruning.
Regularly snipping away unproductive upright shoots along with deadwood keeps the tree in good health and productive.
Plus, it will help you maintain your plant at a more convenient size for harvesting.
Doug Hetherington
Some lemon trees can have sharp thorns, and their sap can cause skin irritation.
Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when pruning lemon trees.
Prune the trees right after harvest.
The best time to prune a lemon tree is shortly after harvesting the fruit.
Some lemon varieties ripen in late summer, while others are ready to harvest in winter or early spring.
Remove the unhealthy wood.
Pests and diseases enter lemon trees through dead, damaged, and diseased branches.
Remove these parts as soon as you see them toreduce pestand disease threats.
Be sure to scan the tree for broken limbs after strong winds.
Intense cold spells can damage branches, too.
Cut back branches damaged by cold weather to healthy wood or wood with leaves.
Snip sprouts growing along the trunk.
Fast-growing shoots popping up along the trunk or a branch of a lemon tree are usually nonproductive water sprouts.
Young lemon trees produce more sprouts than mature trees.
Keep a young lemon tree sprout-free by removing these stems by hand about once a month.
Cut branches back to the collar.
This swollen tissue is called the branch collar.
When branches are cut off in the branch collar zone, the tree heals the wound quickly.
Always aim to cut at the branch collar.
Here’s how to prune a lemon tree using the 3-cut method on large branches.
Pruning a large branch requires multiple cuts to ensure safety for the gardener and the tree.
Use the3-cut pruning methodfor branches larger than 2 inches in diameter.
The first cut is an undercut about 5 inches from the trunk or adjoining branch.
Make the undercut about halfway through the branch.
The second cut takes place a few inches beyond the undercut and removes the branchs weight.
Finally, the third cut removes the stump left.
Sterilizepruning toolswith rubbing alcohol before pruning your lemon tree to avoid introducing plant diseases.
Clean off your pruners again before pruning another citrus tree.
Protect newly exposed wood from sunburn.
Lemon trees aresusceptible to sunburnafter pruning.
Latex paint can be diluted 50% with water; do not use oil-based paint.
Prune at recommended times.
Prune annually and enjoy a regular harvest.
Aim for a dome-shaped tree.
Asmall tree is easier to harvestfrom the ground or with the help of a short ladder.
It depends on the cause of your lemon tree’s decline.
If root rot has set in, pruning won’t do much good.
Continue to prune throughout the season as needed.
Management Options for Improving Flowering in Citrus Production.
University of Florida Ask IFAS.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
