Hi, what time of year is best to prune lemon trees? Thanks

Hi Lynette, as a rule, citrus do not require regular pruning. You can prune to shape if the tree is lopsided or growing in a direction you don't want it to, or prune to reduce the height of a tree to make picking fruit easier. Remove weak, broken, dead or diseased wood, and open up the tree to improve air circulation. Sometimes older lemon trees need pruning to regenerate new growth, cut back branches by approximately one third. Lemons fruit on current seasons growth, so light pruning is beneficial to regenerate new growth and promote flowering and fruiting. Do this when the tree has finished fruiting, some citrus such as meyer lemon can fruit year round in warmer climates, so prune once the risk of frost has passed and the risk of a late frost gone, as new growth needs time to harden off. If you live in a frost free region, any time is a good time. Another thing to be wary of when pruning citrus is the lemon tree borer, a native insect which flies in December to March laying its eggs, it is nocturnal and the larvae enter trees through pruning cuts. Lemon tree borer reduces the vigour of trees and makes branches brittle and unable to hold fruit. To protect wounds, make sure all pruning cuts are sealed to prevent easy access for the lemon tree borer. Lianne, Tui Team.