Just the right size for a bark graft. Check around on the web and you will find plenty of how to instructions. It's not that hard and spring or fall is the right to do the job.

I am not sure where you are in LA, but I was just in southern Cali about 2 weeks ago and there are some very nice and quite large trees at Green Thumb Nursery in Canoga Park--Sherman Way near Topanga Canyon. They had just gotten a shipment of new trees in and there were some that were at least 5-6 feet tall and with large trunk calipers. There is another nursery that I think is called Green Arrow in North Hills (corner of Sepulveda near Roscoe) and they also had quite a few large specimens--including a big tree of one of the TDE hybrids. And of course you could always inquire with your big-box home improvement stores and ask about special-ordering. I agree with bencelest and I would also refrain from doing much pruning until after your new trees get established--I think of it as maximizing photosynthetic surface area, which allows your tree to produce energy for growth. Plus, in citrus the lower branches (the "skirt") is where significant fruit production can occur, but I realize that is not the only goal. HTH.

I called a tree trimmer/cert arborist today. Murray's tree service-- in case any of you have used prior. He's supposed to come out on Thurs. to take a look and give me an estimate on trimming the oak. He said that it does indeed sound like the fungal problem that is going around Pinellas and Hillsborough currently. He said that professional growers have lost a lot of trees to it this year. It is an airborne fungus and highly contagious and will kill your tree and also spread to others. Definitely not good news. Today, I noticed my orange tree now has the same symptoms. He also recommended the copper fungicide as well, which I will definitely try (have not found any YET...at least at Lowes). But he said that it has not provided much to prevent the ultimate decline of the tree. I'm going to wait to see what he says further once he gets here on Thursday and will try the copper stuff. I'm not one to cut down a tree unless it is actually dead or close to it. While it is still bearing fruit and has leaves, it can stay in my yard. I am hoping for a miracle.... :(

Wow interesting! Here is my list with some minor differences with yours: # 1 shiranui # 2 gold nugget: a favorite on this forum! # 3 kishu: Brian, I bought a bag of tiny small mandarins at my asian grocery (the size is about a looney or smaller). It wasn’t label as kishu so I am not sure but they were very, very sweet. They really taste like orange life saver. I read about this description before but never thought much about that until I taste it. The description ws very accurate. # 4 xie shan: winner at the citrus expo held in alabama. Must be really good to win the favor of all those enthusiastic citrus lovers. # 5 page: never taste it but seems a classic to have. Everyone was raving anout this variety in another forum some years. Sugar Belle, Pixie, Daisy and Tango are all great varieties but I never taste them and can’t find lot of information on them.