skip to main content

[PICS] Need help pruning my lime tree

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi all,

I have this small, less than 1 year old kaffir lime tree that I bought last October. It did not grow much in the winter but it started growing better when the spring came. Now it is putting out a lot of sprouts at the bottom. On the one hand, since the tree is small, I wonder if I should get rid of these sprouts. On the other hand, I want a low profile tree, so how about cutting off the top of the tree to let one or several of these sprouts to branch out.

Here are the pictures of the trees and the sprouts and thanks for your input.

http://i.imgur.com/rzt2l0Z.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GUYuiza.jpg

Featured Answer

BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Your very young tree needs as much foliage as it can grow at this point. I would not prune anything for at least another year or two. Citrus are not like other fruit trees like peaches or apples that need to be trained young. When citrus trees are young they they should just be allowed to grow freely, and put on lots of foliage. Citrus trees can be pruned for shape when they are older with no problems.

But your tree is so young and has so little foliage at this point that it needs all it's leaves. More leaves means more roots, which will grow more leaves, which will make more roots, that will grow more leaves, and so on.

It also looks to be a seed grown tree as many Kaffir trees are, so they are not suckers.

So in short, don't prune anything now. Don't prune anything next year either.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area
8 years ago
Also, btw, I can see on the close up picture what appears to be scale insects on the stem near the bottom of the tree. They are the shiny brown bump like things stuck to the stem. You'll need to treat the tree for them as they can breed quickly and on a tree that small they can stunt it.

Here's a good article on scale insects, their life cycle and how to treat for them. Hope it helps. Good luck!

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7408.html
illidanx thanked BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area
Related Discussions
Pruning my new fruit tree pics
Q
Comments (9)
That guy kind of looks and delivers like John Malkovich. Minus the Malkovich accent. Okay so I will cut back the scaffolding limbs with a lower bud at the tip. But I am still a tad unclear about "during growing season you'd pinch back all but the straightest growing bud immediately behind the stub cut. Note I said pinch back and not pinch off." 1. Flavor King: After cutting my scaffold limbs half way, shouldn't I just let all the new branches and leaves growing from the buds far away from the stub cut go wild this first year to really help have a lot of leaves to get energy to establish a root system? I was thinking about doing that, then cutting them all off except main scaffolds 9 months from now in the winter. 2. Flavor King: Leaves are coming out of the buds already, is it too late to cut if half way along the scaffolding branches? 3. On the last picture, the semi dwarf elberta, I see buds that I didn't notice on the main trunk starting to put out some green lower then the lowest current branch. Can I go ahead and cut off the top to the 2 feet mark leaving these 4 nubs left or is that gambling too much and I should wait and see what the 4 green nubs do. Is it too late since buds have growth growing out? Texas A&M and other youtube videos make their cuts at around 2 feet. Below: Picture of the green nubs on the elberta Peach: Elberta
...See More
New loquat tree (pic), any need to prune?
Q
Comments (0)
It has several branches from very low. Are these sucker branches? Should I remove them? My neighbor has a big loquat tree and it is bush-like, several big branches from ground.
...See More
Can I Prune my Lemon and Lime Trees?
Q
Comments (5)
Hello cyumickey, Judging by the age you say the tree is, I wouldn't do too much cutting yet. As Bahia said, don't let branches grow from the ground or around the base of the tree, these branches will just cause you trouble in the longrun. Also, don't let branches grow onto the ground, and cut out any branches that are crossing other branches, saving the branches that most help with the general shape of the tree. Any other cutting on branches after all that cutting should be saved for general shaping of the tree...if at all (like I said, I think the tree is a bit young still). As for when to cut back a citrus tree, anytime but winter is usually fine. Finally, don't fret about not getting fruit yet. The trees are coming to age soon though, and if you can get a regular soil amendment schedule going, all the better. My two cents, Ken
...See More
Should I Prune My Persian Lime?
Q
Comments (10)
It's your choice really. You can probably leave the lime as a twiggy shrub. Let it follow its natural inclination. Or you can train it as a standard limbed-up tree with a trunk. Training as a limbed up tree will take much longer, of course. You'd have to select one limber branch to become the upright trunk, and tie it to a stake...gradually tightening the ties over a month or two until it is vertical. Remove all the lower branches. Crop off the top and it should branch out higher up. In the photo below, the yellow represents the branch selected to be the new trunk. The red lines indicate branch removal. You're not going to like how it looks for a while, but it will get you to your goal eventually -- if that's what you prefer. Keep in mind that tree-form plants are more top-heavy and must be lashed to a railing or some structure so they don't blow over in winds.
...See More
illidanx
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for your insightful comment BarbJP. Regarding the insects, I have been treating it with neem oil and they are all but gone now. The ones in the close up pic are the few I missed when scraping them off. I will do it now.
mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
8 years ago
i 2nd no pruning. You may want to get a taller stake to straighten the trunk. Just tie to enough to straighten but loose enough the trunk can move a little.
illidanx thanked mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
illidanx
Original Author
8 years ago
@mksmth Thanks. I will do that.
Silica
8 years ago
During the first years, there is no need to cut since research has shown that any cut to a young tree reduces root growth. This is due to the equilibrium between foliage and root system. A citrus tree is a biological unit. Cuts on a young tree, as frequently happens in some Mediterranean countries, discourage canopy growth and delays the tree coming into bearing. The only pruning on young trees should be to the central leader branch. In some weak citrus varieties and species, such as limes, satsumas, etc., it is not convenient to make any cut at all in the beginning. After a few years, depending on the speed of tree growth, climate and cultural practices, a selective canopy thinning may be carried out.
illidanx thanked Silica
illidanx
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Silica.
illidanx
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
So I stake the tree up. Here is the new pic

http://i.imgur.com/Oj6KkRn.jpg
BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area
8 years ago
Looks good!
Joe Cwik
8 years ago
Let it grow, if it gets a lot of new growth next spring just take the tip back to encourage branching but your at least a year from needing pruning :) In about 7 or 8 yrs if you do a good job you'll then need to prune some.
illidanx thanked Joe Cwik

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Got Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

CHRISTMAS TREES Live Boldly: Not Your Usual Christmas Tree

Forget green and red! Bring on the pink, purple, lime and more for your Christmas tree this year

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Saturated Colors Help a 1920s Fixer-Upper Flourish

By Madison Modern Home

Bright paint and cheerful patterns give this Spanish-style Los Angeles home a thriving new personality

TREES 11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

TREES Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout

By Paintbox Garden

Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can I get some lemons to grow in Pikeville Kentucky

6

Flying dragon seedlings

6

Coming out of the closet

10

Howard Martin growing citrus #33

1

figs vs kumquats

4