A Description of an Orange Tree
With its shiny, evergreen foliage, fragrant white flowers and ornamental, edible fruit, the orange tree is a productive and attractive landscape specimen. Does this Spark an idea?
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Shape
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Orange trees grow about 20 feet tall and have a compact, rounded shape. They may be cut back to make harvesting easier.
Flowers
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Orange blossoms are fragrant and small. They grow in clusters of one to six blooms. Because of their scent and color, the blossoms are often used in wedding bouquets. They often appear on the tree while the previous season's fruit is still present.
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Culture
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Provide full sun for the biggest crops. Trees need minimal care.
Moisture
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Water during dry spells, or the fruit's quality and size will be affected. Do not saturate the soil.
Hardiness
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Orange trees thrive in subtropical and tropical climates as far north as USDA zone 9. Protect trees during a cold snap by covering them with a blanket, or surrounding them with containers of water. Blossoms can be damaged even when temperatures are above freezing.
Harvesting
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Leave fruit on the tree until you're ready to eat it. After being picked, oranges do not continue to ripen.
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