![]() If you want to keep a citrus tree small or shape it, then trim the outside like you would trim a hedge. All of those interior branches now exposed to the sun were cracking and blackened from sunburn. Why are our citrus trees dying? the owner asked me. The foliage had been thinned, entire branches had been cut out, the canopies had a skeletal look, and the effect was that you could see lots of light going through the trees and hitting the interior branches. Why not? I once did a home consultation at a multi-million dollar residence in Rancho Santa Fe where the owners had put in an orchard of a few dozen fruit trees and then their hired gardener had pruned all of the citrus trees just like the peaches and plums. It’s definitely not advisable for citrus, however. That can be a good idea for some other types of fruit trees, like plums and peaches. The worst reason, or way, to prune a citrus tree that I’ve encountered is opening up the tree’s canopy so the interior gets sunlight. Keeping a tree small like my lime and shaping a tree like my Valencia are the only two good reasons I can think of for pruning citrus. I’ve even hung a swing from one of its branches. ![]()
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