How to Prune Citrus Trees in Tucson, Arizona
Pruning a citrus tree in the Tucson summer can expose the bark to the hot desert heat, resulting in a sunburned tree. To avoid this, prune your tree between the beginning of February and the end of April. Citrus trees need little pruning since they naturally develop strong limbs and don't break under the weight of fruit. Nor does pruning the tree affect fruit quality, as it does with other types of fruit. Citrus trees need occasional pruning, mostly to protect plant heath. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Clip off sprouts that grow from the trunk of your tree, using hand pruners.
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Step back and check all the branches of your tree. Identify branches that are crisscrossed or press together. One should be removed, since the friction of their rubbing can damage the tree. Also note branches that are bent, diseased or damaged. Diseased branches can be discolored. Bent or damaged branches will be cut, bent or otherwise marred. This wood should be removed for the health of your tree, since damaged wood can rot or contract disease.
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Prune away the damaged, dead, bent and crisscrossed branches you identified.
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Remove some interior branches to open up the canopy of your tree to light if your citrus tree only grows fruit on exterior branches. If you're not sure, wait and observe this season and prune canopy branches the following year if you did not get interior fruit. According to the Arizona Cooperative Extension, citrus trees naturally bear in all but the most shaded parts of the tree. To remove interior branches, cut limbs from thick, crowded areas using lopping shears. Remove limbs at the base or cut back to a crotch intersection.
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Tips & Warnings
Citrus trees that do well in Tucson include the "Meyer" lemon, "Owari" mandarin orange, sweet orange, grapefruit, kumquat and calamondin. Limes are not recommended for growing in Tucson.
References
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