The Best Times to Trim Orange Trees in Arizona

Orange trees grow well in Arizona and need little trimming.

The hot, dry deserts of Arizona have been home for commercial orange growing for more than 100 years. Orange trees are best pruned in mild temperatures to prevent development of a sucker and remove dead branches.

Suckers

Suckers are long stems that form where the sweet orange was grafted to the sour orange root stock. Sour orange suckers take energy away from sweet orange production. They are best removed during mild temperatures in September, October and just after all fruit has been picked before blossoms emerge.

Dead Branches

Orange trees in Arizona may develop a few dead branches due to disease or fungus or insect damage. Trim dead branches with clippers any time of year when noticed.

Warning

Suckers are best trimmed when small in diameter. Allowing a sucker to mature into a thick stem before pruning harms the tree and invites disease. Trim the sucker as close to the trunk as possible to prevent the wood from rotting on the tree. A coating of white paint on the cut prevents disease and fungus problems.

References

• Phoenix Tropicals: Growing Citrus In Phoenix Arizona
• University of Florida IFAS Extension:Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide: Pruning, J. Ferguson
• Texas A&M Agrilife Extension:Citrus Pruning, Julian W. Sauls, Ph. D.

Resources

• Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: Home Fruit Production: Citrus, Julian W. Sauls