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Citrus Fruit & Orchards garden

Gopher damage - will my lemon tree survive?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hello everyone! We recently moved to Central California to a nice place with several fruit trees in the back. I'd seen evidence of gophers the last couple months but didn't think much about them since we don't have a lawn... until I went out yesterday morning to discover a gopher had feasted on our poor mature lemon tree overnight! He's stripped the bark off the trunk to about 3-4" off the ground and from about 3/4 of the trunk of the tree. Presumably he's been chewing the roots too.

I ran to the hardware store and got a Gopherhawk trap, but what can I do for the tree? It's a mature tree, probably 10-15 years old from what we know of the house's history, and covered with lemons at the moment. Will it survive with so much bark gone? I know most of the nutrients in the tree travel through that outer layer rather than the actual wood. If there's a chance for survival, should I leave it alone? Coat with pruning sealer?

I have a whole new appreciation for the movie Caddyshack now....

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Comments (4)

poncirusguy6b452xx
4 years ago
It should be able to survive. Some of the roots under the center of the missing bark may die. Leave it alone until you see what starts to heal and then paint with latex white indoor paint. Pictures would help pepsi216 Do you ever drink Coca-Cola.

Steve
pepsi216 thanked poncirusguy6b452xx
pepsi216
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Steve! I've added some pictures; the mobile site wouldn't let me do it for whatever reason. I should also add that it's a dwarf tree in case that matters. Good to hear that there's hope, it's a very productive tree.

Haha I usually don't drink either! It was the name of our kitty when I joined the internet eons ago and the handle just kind of stuck :)
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I don't think you would need to worry about "fumigating" the soil for something so un-established (but am not an expert on this)......and I definitely don't think you would need to worry about even replanting.....I agree with Hman's perception and would be willing to bet that this tree will re-sprout. Am continually amazed at how sturdy trees (and fruit trees) are.....I don't believe I have ever killed one by pruning.....am also amazed at how much people are worried about killing them by pruning too much or at the wrong time, etc, etc. Trees need care, yes, but they are also tough.....often tougher than we think. The story of one of our oldest pear trees, the Endicott Pear, is almost a comi-tragedy at just how many times this pear tree was destroyed......only to come back to life again.....year after year....for literally hundreds of years. Try getting a link here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endicott_Pear_Tree
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I agree with Paintscribe. He's got it right. also re fertilizer, wait until mid September. Old mature trees should not be fertilized nearly as much as young trees. Instead of fertilizer, I would recomend mulch under the tree out to 2 feet past the drip line. a LIGHT fertilizer, about 1/3 the recommended rate, would be ok for one year but then skip the next year altogether. Or use steer manure or bird manure a little under the mulch, but again a light application. Mature trees that are doing well overall, don't need much fertilizer. Since you say it's loaded to the hilt with fruit, it sounds like the tree is doing well and won't need a lot. Light pruning for structure will help but again wait until the temps are lower. also, if you expose any bark to the sun with the pruning, be sure to paint that bark with white paint immediately. I strongly urge people to paint within 60 minutes of pruning. It only takes a day for the bark to get sun burn.
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Jean, From your post I'd definitely identify whether you are dealing with gophers or moles. Not at all the same animal, or the same consequences to your fruit trees. As mentioned, moles are harmless to trees and may actually be beneficial by eating larva of pests potentially harmful to trees (i.e. cicada larva). It's true some people don't like the evidence of tunneling on their lawns, but they don't do as much damage as yard chickens IMO. Personally, I leave moles alone. Plus, Mole was such a kind animal in Wind in the Willows :-) Not so with gophers. I've not had a problem with gophers here, but from what I've read, they can easily destroy trees. This post was edited by olpea on Mon, Feb 9, 15 at 9:31
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Ken "Fruity Paws" (N-Va 7a)
4 years ago
Curious how the tree is doing? How much cambium survived in total? If the pictures you posted show everything (maybe 4"), you probably want to look at using some bridge grafts across the gap or you could also plant any compatible young citrus plant in ground and chop the top and graft that into the upper area.

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Monyet
4 years ago
Good idea, ken.

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