How to Winterize My Citrus Trees

Citrus trees don't do well in extreme cold.

Few things are more wonderful than being able to pick fresh lemons, limes and oranges from your own tree--and few things are as frustrating as losing a favorite tree to frost. The good news is that it is not hard to winterize citrus trees. The key to winterizing citrus trees is warmth, but there are several methods to help retain heat. Surprisingly, water is extremely valuable in the quest to protect citrus trees.

Things You'll Need

• Wide-toothed metal rake
• Garden hose
• Water
• 5 bamboo poles, 2 to 3 feet taller than your tree
• Heavy burlap
• Sturdy, waterproof twine
• Staple gun and staples
• Sprinkler
• Christmas lights
• Large pots (optional)
• Wheeled plant stand (optional)

Instructions

1. Keep the ground hydrated. Use a wide-toothed metal rake to clear away all leaves, mulch and debris from the base of the tree. Soak the ground just before sunset, because well-watered soil releases less heat.

2. Keep the leaves wet. Set up a sprinkler system to water the tree's leaves continuously when the temperature falls below 37 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows ice to insulate the leaves. Support weak branches, as the added weight of the ice could snap them.

3. Wrap your tree to keep it warm. Place one bamboo pole at each "corner" of your citrus tree. Stick the poles at least 10 to 12 inches into the ground. Bend the two left pairs together and secure them with twine. Repeat for the ones to the right. Lay the fifth pole in the "V" atop the poles and secure it with twine. Wrap the poles with burlap, securing it to the poles with a staple gun and staples.

4. Add a heat source. Christmas lights strung throughout the branches provide enough heat to deflect frost damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant citrus trees in pots and set them on wheeled plant stand so that you can simply bring them inside when the weather turns cold.

• Do not ever use the Christmas lights and the sprinkler method at the same time.

References

• University of Arizona: Protecting a Citrus Tree From Cold
• Horticulture Magazine: How Can I Protect My Citrus Tree From Frost?
• University of New Mexico: Protect Fruit From Spring Frost and Wind

Resources

• University of Florida: Citrus