Pruning a lemon tree is an essential practice that ensures the tree remains healthy, productive, and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you have a dwarf lemon tree that grows between 2 to 8 feet (0.61 to 2.44 meters) or a standard tree that can reach up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) or higher, proper pruning techniques can significantly enhance your tree’s fruit-bearing capacity and overall vigor.
Pruning to Maintain Your Lemon Tree
Pruning your lemon tree allows for easy access when spraying and creates a large fruit-bearing surface area that can be reached by the sun. It also fosters sturdy branches capable of supporting the fruit they produce. The best time to prune lemon trees is in early spring, before they flower and new growth starts to appear. It’s crucial not to cut off more than one-third of the branches in a single year. Focus on removing vertical-growing sprouts from the base or trunks of the tree, as well as any dead, diseased, or crossed-over branches. As you prune, shape the tree so it’s larger at the bottom, and consider removing a portion of the fruit to redirect the tree’s energy into growing larger, ripened lemons.
Creating a Healthy Frame
Lemon trees do not have a true dormancy period, but their growth and metabolism slow down after the fruit is harvested, just before rapid spring growth. Ensure that your cutting tools are sharp and clean before pruning, and wear protective gear such as long sleeves, protective footwear, and eye protection glasses, as lemon trees often have sharp thorns.
Pruning a Potted Lemon Tree
For potted lemon trees, the principles are similar. Remove any water sprouts or suckers immediately, and prune any crossing branches. Keep the lemon tree in the same container when it reaches four feet tall to allow it to fruit and prevent it from growing any larger. After pruning, water your tree well. It’s safe to remove up to one-quarter of the branches on a potted lemon tree. Cut off the top of young, newly planted lemon trees to promote the growth of side shoots, which will create a fuller, more attractive canopy.
Expert Tips
Steve Masley, an Organic Gardening Consultant with over 30 years of experience, advises pruning lemon trees in the early spring before new growth has started. This ensures that the tree redirects growth into the branches you’ve kept. Pruning at other times of the year can be more stressful for the tree and may stimulate new growth that could be damaged by a hard frost. Only remove up to one-quarter to one-third of the canopy of the lemon tree to avoid stressing the tree, which could cause the branches to die from the tip of the leaves backward or the entire tree to die completely.
Additional Tips
- Water sprouts and suckers can divert energy from the lemons and the rest of the tree, so remove them as soon as they appear.
- Any growth that has frost damage, appears discolored, or has been eaten away by insects should be removed right away.
- Use a pole saw to remove branches that are too high to reach with loppers or a handsaw.
- Remove the lower branches on mature trees to at least 2.46 feet (75 cm) above the ground to improve airflow and reduce insect access.
- Prune downward-growing shoots while the trees are young to redirect the tree’s growth upwards, enhancing future fruit production.
- Stagger large, dominant branches around the tree to prevent overcrowding and weakening as the tree develops.
- Remove a large scaffold branch from a different section of the tree every two to three years to increase light exposure at the center of the tree.
- If your lemon tree is newly planted, concentrate on pruning the main branches and allow secondary branches to grow out from them.
- Citrus trees tend to produce more fruit than they can keep up with, so reduce the number of lemons growing to ensure the remaining lemons grow larger and ripen properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow a new Meyer lemon tree from the cutting of a current tree?
Yes, you can. Take clones off of softwood branches (the new green ones that haven’t developed bark yet). Clones usually take 3-4 weeks to develop roots and should be identical to the tree you cloned.
Why are my lemons dropping from the tree when they are tiny?
This is normal and shouldn’t be a cause of concern. Environmental factors such as a drop in temperature or heavy rain can cause this. It’s like a molt for a tree.
Can I use what is left after pruning?
Yes, you can let the lemons ripen in a window for a day or so, or use the fresh zest anytime. Also, use the leaves for tea; it makes great herbal tea.
By following these detailed guidelines, you can ensure that your lemon tree remains healthy and productive, providing you with a bountiful harvest all year long. 🍋