Keep Your Citrus Trees In Tip-Top Shape

Pruning your citrus trees might seem a bit daunting, but with a little guidance and a sense of humour, you’ll soon be snipping away like a pro. Here in Gisborne, the home of the juiciest oranges and lemons, we know a thing or two about keeping our citrus trees in tip-top shape. So, grab your secateurs, put on your gardening gloves, and let’s dive into pruning!

Why Prune Your Citrus Trees?
Before you start wielding those shears, let’s talk about why pruning is so important. Pruning helps to shape your tree, encouraging healthy growth and better fruit production. It also improves air circulation, reducing the risk of pests and diseases. Plus, a well-pruned tree is much more pleasant to look at—so it’s a win-win all around!

When to Prune
In New Zealand, the best time to prune citrus trees is late winter to early spring, just before the new growth begins. This ensures you don’t accidentally snip off any potential fruit. Here in Gisborne, we usually start pruning our trees in late August to early September, giving them a fresh start for the coming season.

The Tools You’ll Need
First things first, make sure you have the right tools on hand. A good pair of sharp secateurs is essential for smaller branches, while loppers or a pruning saw will come in handy for thicker branches. Don’t forget a pair of gloves to protect your hands and a step ladder if your tree has reached towering heights.

The Pruning Process

Now, onto the main event! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Remove Dead or Diseased Wood
Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. These won’t produce fruit and can harbour pests, so it’s best to get rid of them early on. Cut back to healthy wood to prevent any further spread of disease.

2. Thin Out the Canopy
Citrus trees love sunlight, so thinning out the canopy is essential. Remove any inward-growing branches or those that are crossing or rubbing against each other. This will open up the tree, allowing sunlight to reach the inner branches and promoting better air circulation.

3. Shape Your Tree
Now it’s time to give your tree a bit of a makeover. Aim to create a balanced, rounded shape that’s open in the centre. If your tree is getting too tall, don’t be afraid to trim the top down a bit—this will encourage more growth lower down, making fruit easier to harvest.

4. Tidy Up
Finally, step back and admire your work. Give the tree a once-over, snipping away any small, spindly branches that don’t contribute to the overall shape. You’ll be left with a neat, well-structured tree that’s ready to thrive.

A Few Extra Tips

Don’t go overboard: While it might be tempting to give your tree a dramatic chop, it’s best to remove no more than 20-30% of the tree’s foliage in one go. This helps to avoid shocking the tree and ensures it has enough leaves to photosynthesise.

Feed and water: After pruning, give your tree a good feed with some citrus fertiliser and a deep watering. This will help it recover and get ready for a new season of growth.

Mind the thorns: Some citrus varieties, like lemons, have thorns on their branches. Be careful when pruning to avoid a nasty prick!

Wrapping Up
Pruning your citrus trees might take a bit of time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. With a little TLC, your trees will be healthier, more productive, and an absolute joy to behold.

Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re tending to your trees just like we do here in Gisborne—the heart of New Zealand’s citrus country.