Not sure why you would pull leaves off. That will do nothing for your tree, and in fact, can cause harm. You're probably better off topping your tree at about 1/2 way, so you can encourage more lateral branching. Do not prune any of your lateral branches, and do not pull off any more leaves, that will not help your dad's tree in any way, and would reduce the tree's ability to conduct photosynthesis, which is what helps to give the tree energy for new growth and the development of fruit. Seedlings tend to grow in a linear, single trunk fashion, so topping your tree will cause the lateral branches to develop and form a more broad canopy. Just look at any citrus tree in your nursery to see what I'm describing (if you have any in your area right now).

Patty S.

Has this plant always looked so droopy?
To me it seems to need a good watering!
If you cut the top off you will get a better shaped tree but you may prevent any chance of fruiting. Seedling citrus trees start fruiting when they have reached a high enough leaf-node count between stem and growing tips.
Seedling grapefruit trees are naturally tall trees.

Citrange is correct, which is why you mustn't prune the lateral branches. They must be allowed to grow longer in order to have that key leaf-node number in order to trigger fruiting. And, grapefruit blossom at the ends of branches, so if you prune the later branch tips, you're pruning away potential blossoms. And, I would pot up your plant. Citrange has pointed out that your tree looks a wee bit thirsty, I think most likely due to the pot being to small to support a tree this size. Otherwise, it looks very green and healthy.

Patty S.

Looks like you already have new lateral branches growing. Your pot is definitely too small for that tree, which is why it looks as if you are getting salt buildup from fertilizer. Actually, I know little about container growing; and even less about grapefruit; but seedling citrus in general take a LONG time to produce fruit. MANY years ago I was assistant herdsman at the UC Davis Swine herd... used mostly for nutrition studies because the digestive system of a pig is virtually identical to humans. What does this have to do with grapefruit? A pig will eat almost everything, including another pig; but a pig will not eat a grapefruit; so I "reasoned", if a pig won't eat a grapefruit, then John ain't eatin' no grapefruit!! I do grow some Oro Blancos; only because the guy who gave me the buds told me they were Pomelos; I give them all to family and friends.

Interesting about the pigs, but I'm not sure your logic is correct. It suggests that the sense of taste/smell may be a bit different from humans but it doesn't follow that grapefruit would actually be unhealthy for them.
Perhaps they just don't like the taste of the peel - I don't either. I bet you never tried peeling the grapefruit for the pigs - they might find doing that a bit awkward for themselves!

citrange,

It's why I put "reasoned" in quotes. Also, I don't think I said they were unhealthy. I don't like grapefruit; but millions of people eat them every day; and I don't see any of them being damaged.

Thank you for your comments.
My reasoning for removing the leaves that were growing out of the trunk was that I understood they would sap or take away the plants energy; which we want to fuel into the limbs.

We will take a field trip to a nursery to see other grapefruit trees.

Thanks for the recommendations for a larger pot size.

Well, that's simply not true, Trisha. I'm not sure who told that silliness! The leaves are necessary for the tree's photosynthesis. The tree will branch out if you top the tree. Just look at any grafted citrus tree at a nursery. You'll see it was topped at about 3 feet to promote lateral branching :-) Seedlings will grow straight up in a single limb, very common. So, just top your tree and it will branch.

Patty S.

Trisha,

Patty is giving you very good advice! With most plants if you pinch the top of the branch off it will produce several branches where it was pinched off.

This is because the terminal bud (the bud at the top of the trunk or end of a branch) produces an auxin which moves down the system and inhibits lateral bud break (i.e., branching). Removal of the terminal bud prevents the production of the auxin so that one or several lateral buds will grow and branching results.

This phenomena is known as apical dominance. Here's a good picture that shows you the different parts of a branch or trunk.

Caid

My grapefruit tree, grown from seed, is probably 25 years old and has three branches. The main one is 8-9 feet tall. It's outgrowing my space. Should I prune back all three branches and, if so, how much?

mbberry, this is a very old thread. you may wish to start a new one. You should tell us more about your grapefruit tree. Maybe post a picture. Three branches is not very many for a 25-yr old tree. In the ground? Inside? You can prune it anytime and it will bush out from there or below. If indoors, don't expect any fruit though, but it will make an interesting foliage plant.

Thank you Dave. My tree lives in my sun room and needs re-potting. I agree that three branches looks odd but that's its configuration. I'll see about getting a photo; don't have a smart phone.

Thank you

Steve