How to Buy Citrus Trees

Citrus trees are the misunderstood trees of landscaping. Citrus trees aren't really trees, they're shrubs. Reaching a height of 25 feet, they may be the ideal plants for your yard. But there are tricks to purchasing a good citrus tree.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Buy field-grown citrus trees whenever possible, identifiable by its burlap-wrapped rootball. Such trees are more costly, but healthier.

2. Consider container citrus trees that are not overgrown. This puts the health of the plant into question.

3. Purchase small citrus trees that take to the ground faster. A big tree takes as long as a small tree to produce fruit.

4. Look for consistently dark-colored leaves. The uniform color is an indication of a healthy, disease-free plant.

5. Ensure that the graft union is approximately 2 inches above the ground. Many citrus trees are grafted. A graft union is a dog-legged bend in the trunk. If the bend is too close to or below the soil it can rot or grow fungus.

6. Investigate the trunk for mars. Marring leaves a citrus tree trunk damaged and might indicate a weak or injured tree. You want to buy the healthiest citrus tree possible.

7. Assess the variety of citrus trees available before you buy. Citrus trees are available in many varieties of orange, mandarin, tangerine, tangelo, kumquat, lemon, lime, grapefruit and other exotics. You can find dwarf citrus trees to buy that are great for container gardening as well.

8. Find out if the variety desired is available in your state. Some plants are restricted to control disease.

Tips & Warnings

• The best time to plant citrus trees in a warmer climate is early winter.