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When to trim lemon trees

Pruning lemon trees: when and how to trim your citrus tree

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Why it's important to prune at the right time, the right way. - by Rhys McKay

Life doesn’t simply give us lemons – we actually need to grow them first! Pruning is a necessary part of caring for lemon trees. It stimulates growth and gives them the sturdy structure they need to give you a generous yield.

Here are all the tips and instructions you need if you want a sweet (or sour) harvest every season!

Should lemon trees be pruned?

Absolutely! In fact most lemon trees benefit from regular pruning, especially in the first two years of their life. Applying controlled stress to the plant signals new growth, telling it to focus more energy on developing the remaining buds. This prepares it to produce bigger and better lemons as it ages.

Before pruning, you’ll notice a lot of volume and foliage going in different directions and after pruning, the fruits should be balanced and the leaves can receive more air and sunlight. 

The tiny growths are trimmed off more often in young trees as they gradually lessen during maturity. Regular pruning of the plant keeps the size manageable for minimum effort and maximum results!

When is the best time to prune?

Depending on the climate, people prune during spring or autumn.

• Baby lemon trees aren’t encouraged to bear fruit until they're older.  
• Young lemon trees are pruned as often as needed to shape their structural framework. 
• For mature lemon trees, the best time to prune is after every harvest once or twice a year.

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Types of lemon trees

There are different types of lemon trees found in Australia such as the Eureka and Lisbon varieties. The Meyer is a dwarf lemon tree known for its versatile and compact nature, making it popular among home gardeners and farmers alike.

Fun fact: the Meyer lemon is actually a hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin orange! Much smaller compared to its other relatives, it’s perfect for growing indoors, in your garden, or as hedges in the backyard.

The tools you’ll need

It’s always important to gear up. Have a trusty pair of pruning shears or a small hand-held saw depending on the size and age of your tree. Disinfect your tools and always use protective gloves when working.

For preventive measures, you’ll also need some organic herbicide that you can apply after the pruning job. All citrus trees are notorious for getting weevils, snails, as well as gall wasp infestations that can cause problems and ruin your crop.

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How to prune a lemon tree

If you see weak branches and small growths near the base of the trunk, it’s a tell-tale sign that you need to prune ASAP.

Here’s a pro-tip for easy maintenance: whenever you see deadwood, you can remove them at any time. Just take note not to prune during summer or winter, since they could be damaged by sunburn or frost.

Step 1) Planning

Before getting started, you need to plan and prepare everything. This means taking a good look at your lemon tree for any unhealthy parts and stray branches. Gather your gardening gloves and your clean pruning shears.

Step 2) Pruning

Start by removing the deadwood from the branches of the tree. Take out any thin branches to give the bigger ones a boost! Any cuts you make should be at a 45-degree angle, making sure not to damage the main stalk. This video shows you precisely how to prune correctly and explains how cutting the wrong part of the branch could badly affect your plant.

Removing ‘suckers’, water sprouts and basal shoots are just as important! These small leafy growths come from the base near the roots, and sometimes indicate that the soil bed is too shallow. Prune them off so they don’t suck the nutrients from your lemon tree! 

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Step 3) Skirting

This term refers to getting rid of the bottom growth to prioritise fruiting at the top of the canopy. As wasteful as it may seem, you may have to get rid of any underdeveloped fruit if you want the top batch of buds and lemons to be healthier!

Skirting also helps prevents the leaves from touching the soil and getting contaminated by fertilisers or herbicides. Having your tree a few feet away from the ground keeps pests from climbing onto the tree and spreading diseases.

Step 4) Topping

It’s time to give your plants a little bit of a chop at the top! Don’t overdo it, though. This is more for an aesthetic concern than a practical one. Make sure that the ratio of branches matches the density of its roots, so try to give it a more rounded, symmetrical shape.

Step 5) Stopping

Never over-prune! Part of the pruning process is knowing when to stop. It’s perfectly fine to chop off one-third of the tree, but not any more than that. If you prune too much, you could overstimulate and stress the plant.

Once you’ve followed all the steps, you can appreciate the results of your hard work!

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Growing lemon trees is fun and maintaining them is worth all the extra effort. Whether indoors or outdoors, they make a delightful addition to your home and garden. Just remember that regular pruning is the key to a happy tree. With these tips we’ve given you, you’re sure to get the fruitful harvest you deserve.

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Cutting Back Lemon Trees - Learn When And How To Prune A Lemon Tree

Home › Edible Gardens › Fruits › Lemon Trees

Lemon Trees

By: Amy Grant

Image by AngelGV

Deciduous fruiting trees need to be pruned to improve branch set, reduce the possibility of breaking from heavy fruit, increase aeration and light availability, and to improve the overall quality of the fruit. Like other fruiting trees, cutting back lemon trees will foster healthier fruit. The question is, how to prune a lemon tree and when is the best time to prune lemon trees?

About Lemon Tree Pruning

While pruning lemon trees back will engender larger, healthier fruit, citrus wood is strong, and thus, less likely to break under the weight of a bumper crop than other fruiting trees. Citrus trees can also fruit throughout the tree, including shaded areas, so cutting back lemon trees to improve light availability is not necessary. That said, lemon trees should still be pruned on occasion.

Young trees should have any sprouts removed and any weak limbs pruned out. Adult trees should also have sprouts regularly pruned out, as well as any dead wood or crossing limbs. The lemon may also need to have its light penetration improved by pruning the lemon tree back.

When is the Best Time to Prune Lemon Trees?

It’s important to prune at the right time, lest you risk losing the year’s yield. Lemon tree pruning should occur after it has produced the fall harvest to give it plenty of time to recover prior to the next season’s harvest.

If you live in a warm climate, you have a bit more leeway on exactly when to prune; just don’t do it when it’s roasting hot. For everyone else, February through April are the best pruning months. On the whole, however, you can prune any time the tree is producing flowers.

How to Prune a Lemon Tree

When cutting back lemon trees, be sure to use very sharp, clean pruning shears or saws, and gloves are helpful to protect you from thorns. While the wood of citrus is very strong, the bark is thin and easy to damage. Always make any pruning cuts with the blade toward the tree to reduce nicking the tree.

Don’t cut the branch flush with the trunk or larger branch. The goal is to preserve the branch collar (the area around the base of a large limb that appears as wrinkled or ridged bark). This area is called the “branch defense zone” and contains cells that activate the callus tissue (wound wood) that grows over a pruning cut and defends the tree against decay.

You should use a three-cut system for any branches that are bigger than an inch (2.5 cm.) to prevent damaging the bark.

• To begin, start with an angled cut 10 to 12 inches (25-31 cm.) out from the branch union.
• Cut a third of the way through the branch from the other side– an undercut.
• Finally, move a few inches (8 cm.) up the length of the branch and cut from above, severing the branch.

Never prune more than one-third of the tree in a year. Begin pruning the lemon in its first or second year to train it to grow how you want it. Trees should be kept around 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) in height to make it easier to harvest and care for. Don’t be hasty and prune out healthy branches. There is no need.

Pruning container grown lemon trees is much the same as those grown in the orchard. Be judicious with the pruning in either case and only remove branches that are crossing, diseased, or dying limbs and sprouts.

This article was last updated on 04/12/21

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Contents

• Why is pruning necessary?
• General rules
• Timing
• First pruning
• Subsequent pruning
• Pruning scheme
• Challenges
• Secrets
• Rejuvenation 9005

  
  Lemon is a beautiful plant that can be grown at home. To make the tree look neat and well-groomed, you should properly prune the indoor lemon, which will help give its crown a decorative shape. nine0003

  Why crop?

  There are several reasons why a plant should be pruned.

  • It helps to keep the crown even and neat.
  • The procedure helps to rejuvenate an old tree.
  • If the plant is not pruned, it will grow up and not bear fruit.
  • Pruning reduces the risk of tree diseases.
  • A properly formed crown will increase the life of the plant and the duration of fruiting. nine0006

  It is necessary to give the crown an even shape even if there is no goal of obtaining fruits, otherwise the tree will look untidy.

  General Rules

  In order for the pruning of a lemon tree not to harm it, the following rules must be observed.

  • It must be done when the plant is dormant. This is the period from late autumn to early spring.
  • If the plant is mature and already bearing fruit, all fruit should be removed from the plant. nine0006
  • Shoots of the first level should be removed 25 cm, the second - no more than 10 cm. All subsequent branches - only 5 cm.

  It is necessary to understand that the procedure is simple, but it must be approached responsibly, because incorrectly performed pruning will set the tree in the wrong direction of growth. You can correct mistakes after an unsuccessful procedure only by removing a large number of branches, which is why it is important to act clearly in accordance with the recommendations of experienced lemon tree owners. nine0003

  Timing

  Experts are divided on the best time to prune indoor lemons. Most believe that the most suitable time for this is the beginning of spring, before the formation of new shoots. However, in winter, you can slightly thin out the crown. To improve fruiting next year, pruning the tree should be in late autumn.

  First cut

  At home, the first pruning of the tree should be done in time; if it is carried out correctly, you can count on the fact that the houseplant will bear fruit. The procedure is carried out in the first year of the life of a lemon, the trunk is cut off at a height of about 20 cm, but it is very important that 3-4 developed buds remain, from which shoots will form - this will allow the side branches to develop. Pruning is done with a pruner. nine0003

  Tip

  It is best if the kidneys are placed at the same level, but on different sides of the trunk.

  When pruning a young lemon, all vertically growing branches are removed. The best time for the procedure is February.

  Plant height depends on where the lemon pot is placed. So, if the tree will grow on the windowsill, it should not be too high. This must be taken into account when forming the crown.

  Post trimming

  The first stage of crown formation is the most important, it determines whether the tree will bear fruit. In the second year of life, lateral branches form in the seedling (they are called branches of the first order), there should be 3-4 such shoots, which is why it was necessary to leave 3-4 buds during the first pruning. In order to form shoots of the third order, pruning is also carried out. Further, the tree itself will form a crown, and will begin to bear fruit after the appearance of branches of the fourth order.

  Two removal methods are commonly used:

  1. partial - shortening of the fattening branches by 25 cm;
  2. complete - this is how most often dead or old branches of a tree are destroyed, which can cause disease.

  Shoots are removed when they interfere with each other's development. At the same time, the strongest shoot is left, and the weak one is cut off.

  Tip

  If the shoot is strong, but growing vertically, it should be removed, leaving a weaker one, but growing horizontally. At the top of the plant, the shoot growing upwards is cut off first. nine0003

  Cutting pattern

  Tree pruning scheme is as follows.

  1. In the first year, only the trunk is trimmed, this will encourage the formation of side shoots. If this is not done, the lemon will begin to grow up and will be an unattractive "stick". Plant height should be 25-30 cm from the ground.
  2. In the second year, side branches are pruned. It is necessary to ensure that 3 new shoots begin to actively grow and develop. If only one grows, it should be completely removed to stimulate the growth of others. This process is called breaking out. nine0006
  3. Next, the branches of the third order are pruned.
  4. The formation of the crown is completed by pruning the branches of the fifth order, after which the tree can be allowed to bear fruit.

  The main task is to give the crown a fan-like appearance.

  Tip

  If one of the young shoots grows vertically, you can not cut it, but give it the right direction by carefully wrapping it with wire and fixing it in the required position.

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  Difficulties

  Some difficulties may arise when pruning lemons.

  • Often only one shoot begins to actively form at the place of pruning, while it is necessary to achieve the development of three or four. In this case, it is completely removed (breaks out) under the base, sometimes this procedure has to be repeated several times.
  • So-called tops may appear, growing vertically upwards and incapable of fruiting. Their growth rate is much higher than that of fruit branches. The easiest way to deal with them is to remove them. Some experts use 25 cm pruning.

  It should be remembered that the pruning of a lemon tree must be carried out carefully, it is very difficult to correct the result.

  Secrets

  In order for the formation of the homemade lemon crown to be successful, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations of experienced flower growers.

  • After pruning, be sure to treat the sections with a garden pitch. However, if very thin branches were removed, then there is no need for such processing.
  nine0005 Annual pruning of the tree will help to form a beautiful crown of a homemade lemon: all weak shoots are removed, as well as those that grow in a vertical direction.
  • Worker shoots need to pinch off the top so that they begin to form fruits. This should be done after the appearance of 6-7 leaves.

  Often there is a need to correct the crown of an already mature tree growing in a pot. In this case, pruning should be carried out in April or early May - at the time when shoot growth begins. The formation of the crown of an adult plant is done primarily for aesthetic purposes, to make it attractive. It is also very important to remove dead and diseased branches. nine0003

  Tip

  It is necessary to cut tops as they appear, throughout the year.

  If your house tree is many years old, regular pruning will help rejuvenate it. After shortening the old branches, new shoots will begin to develop more actively.

  Flower removal

  If the purpose of growing indoor lemon is to produce fruits, then removing excess flowers will allow you to control the process. With the help of this procedure, it is possible to ensure that the forces of the tree will be directed to the full development of the ovaries from the remaining flowers. nine0003

  The number of buds to be left depends on the age of the young tree.

  • If the lemon is three years old, remove half of the buds, then leave 2-3 fruits.
  • For a 4–5 year old tree, the number of fruits is increased to 7.
  • When the lemon has reached 6-7 years, you can leave up to 10 fruits.

  Remove the weakest flowers. If the whole branch does not bloom well, you can cut it completely.

  Tip

  The more empty flowers and weak flowers are cut off, the more ovaries will remain on the branches and, accordingly, the harvest will be richer. nine0003

  Rejuvenation

  When a lemon tree is 15-20 years old, pruning can rejuvenate it. This will not only improve the appearance of the plant, but also increase fruiting.

  Pruning is carried out in the spring, all branches are cut up to the 4th or 5th order, this stimulates the growth of dormant buds and the subsequent emergence of young shoots. After this procedure, the plant must be transplanted into a new pot, carefully shortening the root system by about 30%. It is very important not to touch the roots inside the earthy coma. nine0003

  The crown formation process of a young tree is quite lengthy and can take up to 4 years. However, having completed it once, in subsequent years it will be enough to slightly cut the shoots so that the lemon does not lose its attractive appearance.

  90,000 rules, deadlines and guidelines for choosing a tool. 115 photos and videos Lemon care instructions

  Lemon is often grown at home. This is not only a beautiful tree, it is also capable of bearing fruit. When growing and caring for lemons at home, crown formation and regular pruning of the tree play a significant role. With proper pruning, the tree will look beautiful, neat and well-groomed. In addition, the activity of tree growth depends on the correct pruning. nine0003

  Article content

  What is cropping for?

  Lemon pruning is carried out for the following purposes:

  • maintenance of a beautiful and well-groomed crown shape;
  • ensuring proper tree growth and fruiting;
  • prolongation of life and duration of fruiting;
  • rejuvenation of an old tree;
  • reducing the likelihood of developing tree diseases.

  Pruning a lemon at home is not only done to make the tree bear fruit faster and more. Pruning also performs only decorative tasks to make the tree look beautiful. nine0003

  How to prune a lemon at home in a pot?

  Pruning must be done carefully, otherwise the tree may be damaged. There are several basic rules for cutting a lemon:

  • the tree should be pruned when it is dormant. This condition occurs in the cool season;
  • Trees already bearing fruit should be stripped of all fruit before pruning;
  • the lowest shoots are shortened by 25 cm, the next from the bottom - by a maximum of 10 cm, the rest - by no more than 5 cm.

  Pruning is easy. But, mistakes cannot be made, because the tree can grow in the wrong direction.

  Correction of errors will require pruning a large number of branches, which will slow down the development of the tree. Therefore, before cutting a lemon at home, you should carefully consider the scheme and sequence of removing branches.

  When to prune a lemon tree?

  There is no consensus among citrus growers regarding the timing of pruning for potted lemons. According to most, it is best to trim the tree in early spring, before the young shoots have yet appeared. nine0003

  But, even in winter, slight rarefaction of the crown is allowed. To improve fruiting throughout the next season, it is also recommended to cut the lemon tree closer to the beginning of winter.

  First pruning of a lemon

  The first pruning plays a major role in terms of fruiting. Shearing must be done in the 1st year of the life of a lemon tree. Pruning should be done at a height of about 20 cm.

  It is important to leave 3-4 full-fledged healthy buds, necessary for the emergence of young shoots. Of these, lateral branches will form in the future. Pruning a lemon is done with secateurs. nine0003

  When pruning a young tree, remove branches that grow vertically. It is advisable to carry out this procedure in February.

  The height of the tree is determined by the location of the pot. If it is on the windowsill, do not let the tree grow too high. Based on this, the shape of the crown is determined.

  Second and subsequent pruning

  From the 2nd year of life, side branches will form on the tree. These shoots are called branches of the first order. Their number should be 3-4 units. Therefore, in the 1st year, exactly 3-4 buds are left in the process of pruning. nine0003

  The tree must also be properly pruned to form 3rd order branches. After that, the tree will independently form a crown. When branches of the 4th order grow, the fruiting process should begin.

  Ways to remove branches

  There are two main ways to cut branches:

  • partial. Large branches are made shorter by 25 cm;
  • complete. The branch is completely cut off. The method is usually relevant only for dried or damaged shoots, due to which tree diseases can develop. nine0006

  Shoots should be cut if they interfere with each other's growth. You need to remove weak shoots, and leave the strongest ones. In the case of strong vertical shoots, they should also be cut. At the top of the tree, first of all, the shoot is cut off, which is directed vertically.

  Lemon tree pruning scheme

  The tree should be pruned according to the following scheme:

  In the 1st year, only the trunk is pruned so that the side branches begin to grow. Without such pruning, the tree will turn out to be too long and sparse. The plant should be 25-30 cm tall. nine0003

  Cut side branches in the 2nd year. This contributes to the formation of young shoots. The last should be about 3. If only 1 shoot has formed, it is cut off to stimulate the development of others.

  Then 3rd order branches are cut.

  When branches of the 5th order are cut, the crown is considered formed. From this moment, fruiting begins.

  Lemon trimming at home

  Experienced citrus growers have some helpful tips for pruning a lemon tree:

  • after trimming, the places of cuts must be treated with garden pitch. In the case of complete removal of thin branches, processing can be omitted;
  • the tree needs to be pruned every year to create a neat decorative crown;
  • all weak and vertical shoots are to be removed;
  • at the fruiting shoots, the tops are cut off to activate the process of fruit formation. The top can be pinched when 6-7 leaves have formed. nine0006

  If the tree is already old enough, it is worth making a rejuvenating pruning. It involves shortening old branches to stimulate the development of young shoots.

  Photo instruction on how to cut a lemon

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