Q. Our lemon tree shows damage after our recent very cold
spell. Some of the leaves are dry and
dropping. Is there anything we can do to
assist the tree?
A. The damage can take several different stages. The degree
of damage depends on the lowest temperature reached, the amount of time at this
temperature and the source and condition of the plant.
of damage depends on the lowest temperature reached, the amount of time at this
temperature and the source and condition of the plant.
The first
stage is slightly below its tolerant range and results in leaf damage and other
soft tissue death while the stems remain relatively undamaged.
stage is slightly below its tolerant range and results in leaf damage and other
soft tissue death while the stems remain relatively undamaged.
The second
stage is at temperatures slightly lower or held for a longer period of time.
This results in leaf damage or leaf drop and death of smaller stems.
stage is at temperatures slightly lower or held for a longer period of time.
This results in leaf damage or leaf drop and death of smaller stems.
The third
stage is complete death of the limbs and trunk back to the rootstock. The
rootstock is normally a very hardy citrus grafted on to the more tender citrus.
stage is complete death of the limbs and trunk back to the rootstock. The
rootstock is normally a very hardy citrus grafted on to the more tender citrus.
In this
third stage the more valued lemon portion of the tree completely dies but
leaves behind the more cold-tolerant rootstock. When temperatures warm, the
rootstock will sucker into a totally new, but different, citrus tree.
third stage the more valued lemon portion of the tree completely dies but
leaves behind the more cold-tolerant rootstock. When temperatures warm, the
rootstock will sucker into a totally new, but different, citrus tree.
You can get
some idea now by bending some branches and see if they are supple and bend or
if they snap off. But you will not really know the extent of the damage until
you see new growth in a month or so.
some idea now by bending some branches and see if they are supple and bend or
if they snap off. But you will not really know the extent of the damage until
you see new growth in a month or so.
Once you
see where the new growth is coming from you can make a decision to keep the
tree or remove it and start all over. If you have suckering from the limbs then
you might want to prune it back and let it regrow.
see where the new growth is coming from you can make a decision to keep the
tree or remove it and start all over. If you have suckering from the limbs then
you might want to prune it back and let it regrow.
If suckers
just come from the roots then it would be wise to remove it.
just come from the roots then it would be wise to remove it.