How to Prune a Valencia Orange Tree

Orange trees need little pruning.

Originally native to China, Valencia is the most planted orange variety in Texas and California and a popular choice for Florida growers, too, thanks to its juicy flavor and sweet taste. Valencia, like other orange trees, needs little pruning: it naturally develops a strong branch structure, so it doesn't need training or similar pruning. Inspect the Valencia orange tree each year in the late winter, and prune if you determine it's necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Lopping shears
• Handheld pruners
• Pruning compound
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Wait until you've harvested your last Valencia oranges before pruning the tree.

2. Inspect your tree thoroughly to develop a pruning plan. Notice whether suckers grow from the rootstock or the trunk of your tree and whether your Valencia orange has dead branches; these will not move in the wind and will feel hollow. If you don't notice suckers or dead branches, you can skip pruning this year.

3. Cut off dead wood at its base with your lopping shears. To prevent disease from spreading, spray your tools with disinfectant after each cut.

4. Remove branches that grow less than 12 inches from the ground.

5. Trim suckers from the base of your tree, using handheld pruners.

6. Seal any cuts larger than 1 inch across with pruning compound. Dab the compound over the cut with a paintbrush to prevent insect damage or disease.

Tips & Warnings

• Use handheld pruners for small cuts, like removing the suckers, and your lopping shears to prune away dead limbs thicker than 1/2 inch.

References

• Purdue University: Orange
• Sunkist: Citrus 101 - Growing and Packing
• Weekend Gardener: Pruning Compound