their trunks look pretty thick, so i'm guessing they've been there quite a few years. if they look ok, then just leave them like they are.

Citrus produce at the ends of their branches, so if you continue to prune, you'll probably not get much fruit. If you're concerned about the density, you can certainly cut out some of the inner branches to open up the canopies. And I would stop pruning the outsides of these trees, so you get some fruit. Topping is fine to keep the height down to your HOA requirements, but I would definitely let these trees leaf out on the outside of the canopy for fruit production.

Patty S.

I'm pragmatic when it comes to something like this. To my eyes, these trees have far outlived their usefulness and have become a burden to your neighbors and something of an eyesore to you. I'd not hesitate for one second having them removed and replaced with more suitable plantings.

As it is now, these trees provide no shade, no fragrant flowers, no fruit, and no physical beauty. OUT with them, I say! ;-)

Thanks guys for helping. So I should understand that citrus flower and fruit at the ends of their branches? ie on newer growth? I can thin them out a bit, but they will still have limited growth potential as they can can grow 180deg and not 360 deg.

If that's the case, I may take rhizi's advise and remove them.

On a different note:

As you guys can see, this is a concrete patio. Very well build, 6"-8" thick concrete. Instead of jackhammer away some of the concrete to plant new citrus trees, how about building raided "planter" with concrete blocks on the concrete floor? and have a mini french drain at the bottom for drainage? The planter can be 3'x3' and 2' tall?

Would that be deep enough?

Yes, that's correct, toffee. At the branch tips. So, thinning the center is fine. Topping is fine. Just let the branches produce on the sides. And, rhizo is probably right. I'm just a big ole softie, plus I have an acre of property, so I forget others often deal with limited space! There are SO many awesome, fabulous citrus that are on semi-dwarf or dwarf rootstocks that will stay well-behaved and low for you (keeping within your HOA standards and not bother your curmudgeon, non-gardening citrus-lover neighbor), that could give you a nice variety of citrus. So, you could sort of plant "one of each" and get what you want from citrus. Like a lemon, an orange, a mandarin and a grapefruit. I don't think you're going to need to enlarge the area if you plant semi-dwarf or dwarf varieties, though. Save yourself a lot of labor. If we could see more close ups of the planter, we could better advise you. Citrus are really not so fussy. I'm guessing based on the size of the trunks of your trees and their ages, you've probably got standards growing. You may be happier with new trees and a nice variety of trees. Palm Springs is a great, great place to grow many different types of citrus, my gosh! You can grow just the sweetest grapefruits ever out there. And Late Lane Navel oranges, Ortanique Tangors, Weikiwa Tangelolos, all kinds of cool citrus that maybe done quite do as well in cooler areas of S. California. As long as you're giving them enough water, the sky's the limit for varieties out there.

Patty S.

Thank you Patty for your help. I am seeing less and less reasons to keep those trees. I am going to do some research on the varieties that you recommended. As a rule of thumb, are citrus fast growers? How long would it take a dwarf citrus to grow from a 5 gal plant to say 6ft tall and bear fruit?

Thanks again.

Geesh, I thought I responded to your question, but must have gone to cyberspace. There are SO many great, great options for you out in the desert, toffee. Lemons love it out there, and the Improved Meyer lemon is an excellent option. It is very, very prolific, extremely juicy (about 2 to 3 times more juice than other lemons), and does well in your area. Plus, it is sweeter than a Eureka lemon. Grapefuits will do very well. Late Lane navel oranges, and just about any mandarin. And if you get at least a 2 year old tree, you can get fruit right away. Maybe not a whole bunch, but you should have some. To maturity, about 5 years total (you're probably buying a 2 yr old tree at your nursery). And, dwarf trees may not quite reach 6 ft., but a semi-dwarf will, depending upon the type of citrus. Some tend to be more compact and shorter (mandarins, kumquats, calamondins), and other citrus can be quite large (grapefruits, pommelos.) But, topping can prevent the height issue. I would contact your best garden center or local citrus grower and see what they recommend for your area. Or, give the folks at Four Winds Growers a call. They produce excellent dwarf citrus trees, mostly grafted on Flying Dragon rootstock (very dwarfing), which may be a good option for you. I'm all for smaller trees, small production, and bigger variety.

Patty S.

Here is a link that might be useful: Four Winds Growers