How to Protect Florida Citrus Trees in Cold Weather

Citrus trees are relatively easy to protect from Florida's cold spells.

Florida may be known for its citrus trees, but the state sometimes reaches temperatures likely to damage or kill citrus. Fortunately, by carefully paying attention to weather forecasts, gardeners can protect their trees relatively easily from frost and freezing temperatures. It is important to remember that short periods of 20-degree-Fahrenheit weather won't hurt most citrus trees. It is prolonged cold spells, or temperatures below 20, that gardeners must act on.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-transpirant
• Non-LED Christmas lights
• Frost blankets or row covers

Instructions

1. Plant citrus trees near structures, like walls of brick, stone or cement, or near cement walks or driveways. This way the trees will receive protection from cold, which is is the first line of defense. Buildings, walls, and fences can also help protect trees from wind. On the other hand, planting trees in low areas almost assures they will suffer frost damage.

2. Water the trees well. If the soil surrounding the tree freezes, it removes moisture from the tree roots, thereby causing harm.

3. Apply an anti-transpirant (available at gardening centers) just before cold weather strikes and about once a month until the threat of frost passes. This helps protect the tree's foliage if the temperature dips into the 20s.

4. String the tree with old fashioned (heat producing, non-LED) Christmas lights. This works quite well when temperatures reach 20 F and is even effective in colder weather if the tree is also covered.

5. Drape frost blankets or plastic row covers over citrus trees. These are lightweight and will not damage the tree. Ordinary blankets or plastic sheeting may also be used, but these often aren't as effective.

6. Bank the citrus trees in the fall, as cold weather approaches. First, treat the tree bark with an insecticide and copper based fungicide, then build soil up around the trunk, all the way to the lower limbs. This soil must be carefully removed after the last threat of frost.

7. Avoid mulching citrus trees in cold weather. Bare soil is a more effective heat conductor.

8. Sprinkle water over citrus trees continually during frosts. This requires a sprinkling system created for this purpose and must be set to begin watering the tree before temperatures reach 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to ice formation, trees may suffer some branch breakage.

Tips & Warnings

• Citrus trees planted in pots can be protected by all these measures, also, but it is particularly important to ensure the soil in the pot is well irrigated. Potted trees dry out more quickly than trees planted directly into the ground, so as soon as the first inch of soil in the pot feels dry, water the tree promptly.

References

• University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Protecting backyard citrus from frost
• University of Arizona; Protecting a Citrus Tree from Cold
• Redwood Barn Nursery; Winter Care of Citrus