Orange Tree Pruning
Although orange trees do not require a great deal of pruning, some occasional trimming to remove weak or dead branches is beneficial to the health of the tree. Pruning every couple of years promotes better resistance to some diseases, higher quality fruit and the overall attractive appearance of the tree. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Put your personal safety first by wearing heavy gardening gloves. You might even consider wearing long sleeves. Many varieties of orange trees have nasty thorns.
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Assess the tree's issues before starting to prune in late January or early February, before flowering begins shortly thereafter. If the tree has been cared for properly, pruning is probably appropriate. However, check the tree over carefully with an eye out for signs of insect infestation, diseases or lack of light to the interior areas of the tree. Treatment other than simple pruning may also be required.
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Remove suckers as soon as you notice them. Suckers are new growth located low on the trunk. They are robbing moisture, sap and nutrients from your tree.
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Remove dense growth near the base and the center of the tree, which will permit the maximum amount of sunlight to reach the tree's base. When pruning limbs, cut just beyond the branch collar, never flush with the branch.
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Remove any injured, diseased, weak, twisted, crossing or dead branches, and any branches growing downward toward the ground or inward toward the tree's trunk.
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Tips & Warnings
Schedule your tree's next pruning for a year from now. At that time, remove weak branches and overcrowded growth.
Do not remove more than a quarter of the tree at any one time. Excessive pruning may retard growth and fruit production, since most citrus trees have a very limited store of carbohydrates in their stems.
