How Hard Can You Prune an Orange Tree?

When pruning orange trees, how much you prune depends greatly on how much rejuvenation and growth the tree needs. The more you cut, the greater the stimulation is to that part of the tree.

Time Frame

Prune orange trees in the early spring to help spark growth. If you wait until the summer to prune, the tree won't rejuvenate as much. Waiting until the fall leaves orange trees vulnerable to cold weather damage.

What to Prune

Remove any shoots or suckers coming out of the rootstock by grabbing it by the base and pulling it out at a 90-degree angle. Prune away large criss-crossing branches using three cuts starting from 2 feet away from the trunk. You should also prune any dead wood remaining on the tree.

Considerations

Branches that are less than 1 foot from the ground should be removed. All areas that were cut should be sealed using some type of pruning compound to allow those areas to heal. Never prune orange trees that are suffering from stress or dehydration.

References

• Texas Citrus: Caring for Citrus Trees
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide - Pruning
• Purdue University: Orange