Q. When should I prune a “salad” tree? Mine has 5 varieties of lemons and 2 oranges
and is almost 5 years old. I am afraid
of pruning the wrong branches and affecting the varieties and yield.
and is almost 5 years old. I am afraid
of pruning the wrong branches and affecting the varieties and yield.
A. Pruning a “salad tree” is more difficult than a fruit
tree with only a single type of fruit growing on it. Think of your “salad tree”
having different fruit growing on it, all sharing a common trunk or large limb.
When pruning, it is important to remember that each type of fruit growing on
that tree needs its own space.
tree with only a single type of fruit growing on it. Think of your “salad tree”
having different fruit growing on it, all sharing a common trunk or large limb.
When pruning, it is important to remember that each type of fruit growing on
that tree needs its own space.
Some
types of lemons and oranges have stronger growth than others. Your job when
pruning is to prune back the strongest growth of those varieties so that the
weaker varieties can survive. Otherwise the weaker varieties will die out from
competition and only the strongest growing varieties will survive. This is the
main reason why “salad trees” end up with two or three varieties that survive
after a few years.
types of lemons and oranges have stronger growth than others. Your job when
pruning is to prune back the strongest growth of those varieties so that the
weaker varieties can survive. Otherwise the weaker varieties will die out from
competition and only the strongest growing varieties will survive. This is the
main reason why “salad trees” end up with two or three varieties that survive
after a few years.
Your job
is to be the chief mediator or referee when pruning. Surrounding strong growth
needs to give up space through pruning so the weaker varieties have a chance at
survival. When you bought the tree, each of the varieties had a label so that
you knew where they were located. It’s important to keep these labels up to
date so you see where different varieties are located. This helps to create
space for new growth when pruning. It also teaches you which varieties are
stronger than others.
is to be the chief mediator or referee when pruning. Surrounding strong growth
needs to give up space through pruning so the weaker varieties have a chance at
survival. When you bought the tree, each of the varieties had a label so that
you knew where they were located. It’s important to keep these labels up to
date so you see where different varieties are located. This helps to create
space for new growth when pruning. It also teaches you which varieties are
stronger than others.
Citrus,
in general, is easy to prune. Pruning is done immediately after harvest. Any
suckers are removed from the main trunk up to a height of about 18 inches. The
canopy, or top of the tree, does not need extensive pruning. If crossing limbs
are found, the offensive limb is removed at the trunk or a major limb. If a
limb is growing on top of another limb, one of them is removed in the same way.
in general, is easy to prune. Pruning is done immediately after harvest. Any
suckers are removed from the main trunk up to a height of about 18 inches. The
canopy, or top of the tree, does not need extensive pruning. If crossing limbs
are found, the offensive limb is removed at the trunk or a major limb. If a
limb is growing on top of another limb, one of them is removed in the same way.
Rather
than a “fruit salad” tree for small landscapes I prefer to grow individual
trees planted close together; sometimes referred to as “planting in the same
hole”. These individual trees are pruned separately so that they occupy their
own spaces. The result is the same; smaller harvests at different times of the
year but the pruning is much easier.
than a “fruit salad” tree for small landscapes I prefer to grow individual
trees planted close together; sometimes referred to as “planting in the same
hole”. These individual trees are pruned separately so that they occupy their
own spaces. The result is the same; smaller harvests at different times of the
year but the pruning is much easier.