I purchased a home in Louisiana that has two overgrown citrus trees and I need to know how and when to prune.?

Question

The citrus trees are a satsuma and naval orange. Both are incredibly overgrown and I've noticed some sooty mold on the leaves and fruit. When is the best time to prune these trees and how much should I prune them without causing harm to the tree itself.

Answer 1

Citrus trees usually respond to hard pruning, if necessary. Established trees can be pruned at or after harvesting.To renovate an older tree, one can remove an unproductive branch or section of branch.Do not remove more in any one year. Unlike many fruit trees, citrus trees, in general, have limited reserves of carbohydrates in their stem tissues, and excessive pruning is therefore likely to set back growth and fruiting. If several shoots arise around a cut, select only one or two of the best placed to develop as main branches.
In general prune an established mature tree as lightly as possible.Watershoots should be removed as soon as they appear. Inward-growing shoots should also be removed or cut back to an outward-facing bud, shaded by other growth, they are unlikely to produce flowers. All diseased or dead branches should be regularly removed, as well as crossing branches, which might get damaged by chafing. When harvesting, prune each fruited shoot back to the next young shoot, since it will not fruit again. The mold on the leaves probably was caused by the denseness of growth, lack of air movement. Take a diseased leaf to a nursery for advice of which fungicide to use.

Answer 2

How many citrus trees do you have? An orchard full, or just a few? If just a few, set the hose at them one at a time, and let the water run slowly for 15 minute or so and then, move the hose to the next tree. If an orchard: Young citrus trees require intensive irrigation management to prevent moisture stress. Obviously, irrigation frequency depends upon soil type, prevailing weather and type of irrigation system. Growers are expected to modify irrigation frequency based upon these factors and their own experience. For flood irrigation, strip borders should be used during at least the first year to conserve water, although strip borders require more work to install and maintain, particularly with respect to weed control on the borders. Single drip irrigation lines are very effective for orchard establishment and for water conservation, but double lines on each row would be better for orchard performance 3 or 4 years after planting. Microsprayer irrigation systems are highly recommended for both orchard establishment and mature orchard water management, and have the added advantage of providing some measure of cold protection in the orchard.

Answer 3

If you have a mold on the leaves and fruit you may have to have them cut down. They may be infected with a mold that will kill them eventually. You should contact your local forestry office or extension office and ask them to check it out for you. You can get advice on pruning from them also and from the National Arbor Day Foundation at this site www.arborday.org.

Answer 4

after fruit and right thru until blooming time.