Episode: 4
Title: Pruning Citrus Trees
Broadcast: March 23, 2019
Presenter: Nigel Ruck

Citrus trees are a great addition to any garden but do require a little maintenance and a good annual prune. Nigel has a few tips on getting the best results and fruit production from your tree.

• Citrus trees will thrive in most gardens, as long as they have plenty of sun and are set in a good soil with reliable moisture and drainage.
• The best time to prune is just after harvesting and before the new growth starts, which is around the end of winter. Any dead, damaged or diseased branches however, can be pruned at any time of the year.
• The new growth, that results from pruning, is where the flowers and fruit is produced.
• Don’t cut flush against the trunk. Prune just above the collar of the branch, which will make the wound smaller and quicker to heal.
• Damage to the bark and rubbing branches can cause wounds to the trees, making them more susceptible to disease and decay.
• Branches that cross through the central parts of the canopy, causing congestion, will block any useful light coming to the middle of the tree.
• Aim for a balanced branch structure ‐ open in the middle, to allow for air circulation and light down to the lower branches. This will discourage mites and increase flowering and fruiting.
• If you have a large citrus tree, give it a hard prune in August. It will mean a year’s worth of regrowth, but the year after will reward you with a great crop of easy-to-reach fruit.