How Do I Prune a Mature Orange Tree?

Mature orange trees benefit from annual pruning.

While young orange trees in their first year or two of growth require little pruning, it is a good idea to give an orange tree an annual pruning once it has matured and reached full height. Pruning opens up the tree to allow more sunlight to enter its center, and keeps it in good health. The best time to prune is in late winter, after the danger of freezing has passed and the temperatures are still cool.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning saw
• Gardening gloves

Instructions

1. Remove any suckers from the tree, which are shoots emerging from the rootstock of the tree. Grab the sucker at the base. Push it down 90 degrees and pull it out.

2. Cut out crossing branches. University of Florida Extension suggests using three cuts to do so. Make the first cut halfway into the underside of the branch, approximately 2 feet away from the trunk. Make the second cut approximately 3 inches beyond the first cut, cutting downward from the top of the branch until the limb splits cleanly between the two cuts. Make the third cut directly beyond the outside of the branch collar to remove the stub. Cut at an angle, down and away from the trunk.

3. Cut off any dead wood or twiggy branches. Remove these using a downward stroke.

Tips & Warnings

• Suckers will grow back if removed by using a pruning saw or other cutting tool.

References

• Purdue University: Orange
• Univeristy of Florida Extension: Your Florida Dooryard Citrus Guide: Pruning
• Texas Citrus: Caring for Citrus Trees

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish