What Time of Year Do You Prune Citrus Trees?

Appropriately timed pruning will not affect citrus production.

Pruning citrus trees to shape, remove damaged limbs or increase production must be done at times when the tree's health or fruit production will not be affected adversely.

Shaping

Lightly prune citrus trees year-round to shape them.

Light shaping can be done at any time of year except winter. Heavy shaping should be done in early spring after new growth has emerged, but before buds appear.

Damaged Limbs

Frost damaged limbs often produce fruit.

Wait at least three months before you cut limbs that have been damaged by frost. Frequently, these limbs will survive and produce fruit. Large, split limbs should be removed when damage occurs.

Increase Production

Judicious, early-spring pruning can invigorate fruit production.

Reinvigorate trees in decline by pruning in early spring after the threat of frost is passed, but before new growth emerges. Removing old growth will stimulate the tree to produce more growth on the remaining branches.

References

• University of Florida Extension: Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide-Pruning
• Arizona Cooperative Extension: Pruning Citrus

Resources

• Tree Help.com: Cirus Tree Care