How to Prune Navel Orange Trees

Orange trees are a great addition to your backyard garden.

Navel orange trees are low-maintenance citrus trees that grow from USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. These trees prefer full sun and rich, loamy soil. Orange trees are evergreens that flower in the spring and bear fruit in late fall and early winter. The issue of whether or not to prune orange trees is debated by experts, as oranges will grow to the desired shape with no help from gardeners or orange enthusiasts. However, even orange trees need maintenance pruning, which can be done in a few easy steps. Don’t be afraid--navel orange trees are extremely hardy.

Things You'll Need

• Hand pruning shears
• Pruning saw
• Fungicide
• Gardening gloves
• Ladder

Instructions

1. Do not prune your orange tree in the first few years of life. It is unnecessary and may damage the tree.

2. Remove all water sprouts or suckers from your navel orange trees. These will grow from the base of the tree or where branches meet and drain the energy of your plant. They are generally green and have long thorns.

3. Cut back any branches lower than 12 inches from the ground with garden clippers or a pruning saw in the early fall or before the first sign of new growth in late winter or early spring (February or March). Pruning too late in the spring will result in a smaller harvest. Removing the lower branches makes harvesting easier and discourages the growth of fungus and disease.

4. Eliminate any dead, frost-damaged or diseased branches. Diseases and fungi thrive in deadwood and can spread to the healthy branches. Always make your cuts at a 45-degree angle, and cut back into the healthy wood if possible.

5. Cut any branches growing vertical to the ground or toward the center of the tree. This thins the canopy and increases air circulation, which prevents the spread of disease and fungus. Paint any cuts over 1 inch in diameter with a fungicide to prevent disease.

6. Prune to size, cutting back any excessively long branches. Never remove more than one-third of the branch's length if you want re-growth. To remove large branches completely, use a three-part cut: Undercut the branch about 12 inches from the base of the branch, then cut the branch off 2 to 3 inches further along the branch to remove the branch's weight. Finally, cut the branch off flush with the trunk.

Tips & Warnings

• Always were gloves when pruning your citrus tree.

References

• University of Purdue: Horticulture: Orange
• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Pruning Citrus
• Western Farm Press: Navel Orange Tree Pruning Discussed
• Daves Garden: Plant Files: Navel Orange

Resources

• USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map