Q.
Hi there, could you please tell me the best time of year to prune citrus trees? Thanks, Patsy.
A.
As a general rule, citrus don’t need pruning but occasionally they do if they are getting too large or are misshapen. Prune if you need to for either a desired shape, to remove any diseased stems, or to improve air circulation. Remember leaves are the life of the tree, so don’t cut unnecessarily, particularly before the tree has matured. Harvest all the fruit prior to pruning.
The best time to prune your citrus is after fruiting in spring. In frost free regions, pruning can be done at any time of year, including winter. However in frost prone areas avoid pruning in winter because this will push soft new growth that hasn’t had time to harden off, and it will be damaged by frost.
This is the same reason you don’t fertilise citrus in autumn, it pushes soft new growth that doesn’t have time to harden off and this will get frosted in winter.
If pruning is done in spring or summer, care needs to be taken because the native lemon tree borer flies at that time of year, and you run the risk of lemon borer laying eggs in fresh cuts. Protect wounds with a water based paint or pruning paint to seal the wound and prevent easy access for the lemon tree borer.
When pruning, apply a side dressing with Tui Citrus Food and add a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants to keep the roots cool over summer.
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When is the best time to prune citrus? Comments
very helpful
Anne moore
hello! my potato and tomato crops were infected by sillids (not sure of spelling). I have since planted garlic in the same bins, but it doesn't seem to be growing as well as usual - is the soil contaminated too? what do I need to do?
Diane
Hi Diane, psyllid is a frustrating problem, if you haven’t already, remove any bits of foliage or dead stems lying around that were affected by psyllid last season, it can over winter in members of the potato and tomato family or host plants such as tamarillos. Ask your local garden for a spray that is registered for psyllid, to have it on hand if the problem occurs again this season. As you are growing your plants in bins, if you can replace the soil it will give the crops a better chance of beating it this season. Encouraging good bugs into your garden such as lady birds and lacewings which eat psyllid will help too. Thanks, Jenna - Tui Team
jenna
my lemons from my tree are being eaten by caterpillars can I spray them and with what
Ngaire
Hi Ngaire, you can try blasting them off using the hose, or use a spray - Tui Caterpillar Eliminator for Fruit & Veges. All the best ^Tui Team
jenna
My lemon tree has produced fruit for the first time this year (It's about 3 years old) but I've been told I have left too many fruit on and the tree is now suffering as all the goodness has gone to the fruit. What should I do to try and bring it back to health?
Philippa
Hi Phillippa, yes when citrus are young they can tend to over fruit, therefore removing about 70% of the fruit or flowers in the first few years is recommended. To give your plant a boost, apply Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic every few weeks (or at least once a month), this will encourage a stronger root system and then more branch and leaf growth. In spring, give your plant a side dressing of citrus food. Happy gardening, Jenna ^Tui Team
jenna
Something is eating my lemon tree leaves. I can’t see any insect but it must be there somewhere. Any ideas what it is and what I can do to stop it please
Trish
Hi, All the leaves have fallen off my lime tree. It still seems to be alive, just the leaves show no sign of regrowth. Why is this?
Matt
I’ve grown a lemon and mandarin tree from seed. Will they fruit normally and when can I expect the fruit? Yep Thanks. Trish
Trish
Hi there, everything in my garden is being chewed by what appears to be caterpillars although i cant sight any. we have a new section, lots of clay, have used pea straw and also had psillud on potatoes and tomatoes last season. Do you think the peastraw or pysilluds would be contributing? What to do?
Bev Asplin
Hi there. I would like to move a small lemon tree which is about 5 years old. When would be best time? thanks
Clare
Hi Clare, winter is the best time so we suggest moving it this month. Check out our guide here for tips: http://www.tuigarden.co.nz/howtoguide/transplanting-trees-shrubs-roses-perennials-and-bulbs Happy gardening ^Tui Team
jenna
Hi Trish, if your leaves look like they are being eaten it could be mites, these are tiny and live on the undersides of the leaves. Spray with an insect spray registered to control mites. Damage could also have been from the leaf roller caterpillar which would have been active in autumn. The adults of these will not be around now, but a winter oil spray (check at your local garden centre) may kill any over wintering eggs. All the best, Tui Team
jenna
Hi Matt, often in winter citrus can shed some leaves over long cold periods. If you live in an area that has frequent cold periods and frosts, cover your plant with first cloth to protect it and keep it warmer. Another reason they shed leaves is due to lack of nutrients in the soil, to rectify this apply citrus food in mid spring. And ensure your tree gets plenty of sun, they need all day sun to thrive. All the best ^Tui Team
jenna
Hi Trish, great question and there isn’t really one definitive answer. Yes they could well fruit, but it is hard to say if and when they will. Most citrus are grafted and not grown from seed. In some cases, it can take 5 years in others more. To give them the best shot, plant in full sun, feed with citrus fertiliser and cross your fingers. Happy gardening ^Tui Team
jenna
I know Busy Lizzies had a fungal disease and were unavailable last year but why are this year's stock slow growing or curling their toes up? I am fed up buying plants that don't grow!
Bruce Woodcock
Hi Bruce, it may still be too cold in your region to plant them, or this could be due to over watering. Dunk them in Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic before planting out to give them the best start.
Tui Team
But citrus are ripe in autumn/winter so how could you prune them ‘after fruiting in spring?
Steve
Hi Steve, as a general rule citrus do not need pruning unless the tree is misshapen or too keep it to a desired height. If it does need pruning, for a healthy actively growing tree trim it back by about one third. This is best done in frost prone areas in late winter, early spring (after fruit harvest). If pruning is done in frost prone regions in autumn or winter (assuming there is no fruit on the tree) this will push soft new growth that will not have hardened off sufficiently and will frost in winter knocking the tree back. In frost free regions in NZ citrus trees can be trimmed any time of the year as and when required.
Tui Team
Thank you that has been helpful. I have been to afraid to touch my citrus trees in the past.
Sue Tisdall
Can I prune my lemon tree when it still has fruit on it or should I wait till all the fruit has gone?
glenn
Hi Glenn, the best time to prune citrus is late winter (August/September), early spring when fruiting has finished. Some varieties such as Meyer lemon tend to fruit year round, so the best time to prune is late winter. Citrus trees fruit on new seasons growth, generally trees don't need pruning but can be trimmed to shape or to make more manageable for easy picking, shorten dominant water shoots, remove deadwood, small twiggy growth and branches that crisscross over to help improve air circulation. Avoid pruning in September/October when them lemon tree borer is flying, seal all wounds bigger than the little finger to prevent the lemon tree borer entering through the pruning cut.
Lianne