How to Protect Citrus Trees From Frost

When temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, you need to protect your orange, lemon and other citrus trees to prevent frost damage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear Plastic Sheeting
• Garden Hoses And Attachments
• Hose-end Sprinklers
• Lumber

1. Watch the local weather forecasts for predictions of possible frosts. Most citrus will be damaged if temperatures drop below 28 to 30 degrees for several hours, but hardiness varies by citrus variety.

2. Observe the weather. Frosts are most likely on still, clear nights. Coldest temperatures will occur just before dawn.

3. Construct a wooden box-like frame that encloses the tree and cover it with plastic sheets or burlap. Use 2-by-2-inch lumber to construct the frame.

4. Provide additional protection by running sprinklers at the base of the tree or stringing Christmas lights through the tree to generate heat. Don't use both sprinklers and lights, as you could get shocked.

5. Uncover the tree during the day.

Tips & Warnings

• In cold climates, choose hardy or early-ripening varieties such as kumquats, Satsuma mandarin and Meyer lemon; these types produce fruit that can be picked before the threat of frost.
• If you string Christmas lights on the tree, use the large, old-fashioned type that generates heat.
• If you get caught by a sudden freeze, simply drape plastic, old sheets or burlap over the tree.
• If your tree is damaged, wait several months to prune until new growth reveals the extent of the damage.
• Avoid running sprinklers and using Christmas lights at the same time. You could get shocked.
• If tree foliage touches plastic, it may be damaged by cold.
• Lemons and limes are very frost sensitive and may be damaged if temperatures fall slightly below freezing.

[gwenee]

on 2/15/2009 HELLO, MY LEMON TREE HAS LOST MOST OF IT'S LEAVES AND LOOKS LIKE A STICK TREE.....NOW I HAVE RED/PINK BALLS ALL ON IT, IS THAT OK?

[gwenee]

on 2/15/2009 HELLO, MY LEMON TREE HAS LOST MOST OF IT'S LEAVES AND LOOKS LIKE A STICK TREE.....NOW I HAVE RED/PINK BALLS ALL ON IT, IS THAT OK?

[KSmack]

on 12/12/2007 We just moved into a home that has two citrus trees that I believe to be mature trees (taller than me 5'3) and I don't know how to pick the fruit off the trees and take care of the tree during the winter months. It is December here in Northern California (The Valley)we have an orange tree and a lemon tree.

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