Pruning Citrus Trees

After an "average" winter, citrus trees in our area do not typically need pruning but once every couple of years, once a year for lemon trees.  After the freezing weather of Winter 2009-2010, we will want to take a look at our trees to assess freeze damage and clean out dead wood and damaged limbs.  While you can prune between March and August, you will want to carry out this task before flowering begins, if possible.  There are a couple of things you will want to do before you begin to prepare for the pruning.

Think safety first!  Many varieties have wicked thorns, you will need a pair of heavy duty gardening or leather gloves.  Dress accordingly as you will be reaching into the tree.  Protective eye wear is a must to protect your eyes from snapping branches or falling debris.  If you will be working on a ladder, be sure it is sturdy and placed with even footing and do not work alone.

Equipment:
Depending on the size of your tree(s), you will need just a few pieces of hand equipment that you probably have the in garage.  Make sure that the edges are sharp for clean cuts and that the blades are clean to eliminate the chances of spreading disease to the open cuts.
You will need hand pruners for the small branches and dead wood.  Long handle loppers for the tall branches and thinning the canopy.  A pruning saw will be needed for the larger branches and stubborn suckers.

Let the pruning begin!  Inspect the tree from below at the graft joint.  This is where the variety has been grafted to the rootstock.  You will find a "knuckle" in the tree trunk approximately 1 - 2' from the ground.  Remove any of the "suckers" that are growing from the rootstock.  These branches are fast growing, generally very thorny, will not produce true and/or edible fruit and the tree will have to share water and nutrients with these non-producers.  With your shears, saw or loppers, cut these suckers as close to the truck as possible with a clean, vertical cut.  The vertical cut is essential to allow moisture to run down and away, preventing rot and allowing the "wound" to heal quickly.

Now you are ready for the pruning of the main canopy.  This is the work that will allow sunlight and air to penetrate through the branches.  Step back and look at the tree from all angles, walking around the tree and examining for shape and branches crossing the center axis.  Remove the cross branches and spindly twig branches, cutting hard to the main branch.  Cut out any dead wood as this will attract wood boring beetles.  Use the pruners to cut away spindly ends of main branches.  You can safely prune drastically in the crown (center) of the tree, leaving as few a three main branches in the center of the tree.   Keep in mind the height of the tree for ease of harvesting the fruit.   Keep overall tree height under 8' to keep the picking the easiest.  Length shortening cuts should be made at an angle.

While pruning the tree, inspect for insects and disease and treat accordingly and directed on the product label.  March through October, feed trees once a month.  If using a granular feed, be sure to water in immediately and water well, particularly through the hot summer months.

For more information on growing citrus trees in Texas, you will find this article from Texas A&M AgriLIFE Aggie Horticulture helpful.

We wish you a bountiful harvest!