Life doesn’t simply give you lemons – you need to grow and prune them first. Pruning is an essential part of caring for lemon trees, as it stimulates growth and gives trees the sturdy structure needed to yield a basketful of lemons.
Not exactly sure how to prune a lemon tree? Here are the answers to all your lemon-pruning questions, plus the tips and tricks you’ll need for a sweet (or sour) harvest every season.
Why you should bother pruning lemon trees
Absolutely! Most lemon trees benefit from regular pruning, especially in the first two years of their life. Applying controlled stress to the plant signals new growth, telling it to focus more energy on developing the remaining buds. This prepares it to produce bigger and better lemons as it ages.
Before pruning, you’ll notice a lot of volume and foliage going in different directions and after pruning, the fruits should be balanced and the leaves can receive more air and sunlight.
The tiny growths are trimmed off more often in young trees as they gradually lessen during maturity. Regular pruning of the plant keeps the size manageable for minimum effort and maximum results.
In case you were wondering, yep, you can cut the top off your lemon tree. Removing the top shoots and branches from a young lemon tree helps shape it, making it easier to maintain. This is commonly known as topping (more on that later).
This is the best time to prune a lemon tree
Depending on the climate, gardeners typically prune their lemon tree during spring or autumn. Rules of thumb to keep in mind:
- Baby lemon trees shouldn’t be encouraged to bear fruit until they’re older (around three years).
- Young lemon trees (three to five years) can be pruned as often as needed to shape their structural framework.
- For mature lemon trees (five to seven years), the best time to prune is after every harvest, once or twice a year.
The most common types of lemon trees in Australia
There are three different types of lemon trees found in Australia, the Eureka, Lisbon and Meyer variety.
The most common lemon tree you’ll come across in Australia is the Eureka. It is a strong grower and provides an abundance of lemons throughout harvesting season. The Meyer is a dwarf lemon tree known for its versatile and compact nature, also making it popular among home gardeners and farmers alike.
The tools you’ll need to prune a lemon tree
It’s always important to have the right gardening tools. This includes a trusty pair of pruning shears or a small hand-held saw, depending on the size and age of your tree. Disinfect your tools, and always wear protective gloves when working.
For preventive measures, you’ll also need some organic herbicide that you can apply after the pruning job. All citrus trees are notorious for getting weevils, snails, as well as gall wasp infestations that can cause problems and ruin your crop.
How to prune a lemon tree in 5 steps
If you see weak branches and small growths near the base of the trunk, it’s a tell-tale sign that you need to prune ASAP.
Here’s a pro tip for easy maintenance: whenever you see deadwood, you can remove it at any time. Just take note not to prune during summer or winter, since they could be damaged by sunburn or frost.
Step 1: Plan and prepare
Before starting to prune your lemon tree, you need to plan and prepare everything, especially if you need to run to the garden centre for supplies. Take a good look at your lemon tree for any unhealthy parts and stray branches. Gather your gardening gloves and your (clean) pruning shears.
Step 2: Prune your tree
Start by removing the deadwood from the branches of the tree. Take out any thin branches to give the bigger ones a boost. Any cuts you make should be at a 45-degree angle, making sure not to damage the main stalk.
Removing ‘suckers’, water sprouts and basal shoots is just as important. These small leafy growths come from the base near the roots, and sometimes indicate that the soil bed is too shallow. Prune them off so they don’t suck the nutrients from your lemon tree.
Step 3: Skirt the bottom
‘Skirting’ refers to getting rid of the bottom growth to prioritise fruiting at the top of the canopy. As wasteful as it may seem, you may have to get rid of any underdeveloped fruit if you want the top batch of buds and lemons to be healthier.
Skirting also helps prevents the leaves from touching the soil and getting contaminated by fertilisers or herbicides. Having your tree a few feet away from the ground keeps pests from climbing onto the tree and spreading diseases.
Step 4: Top your tree
If you want to shape your lemon tree, give it a little chop at the top. Don’t overdo it, though. This is more for an aesthetic concern than a practical one. Make sure that the ratio of branches matches the density of its roots, so try to give it a more rounded, symmetrical shape.
Step 5: Stop pruning!
Never over-prune a lemon tree! Part of the pruning process is knowing when to stop. It’s perfectly fine to chop off one-third of the tree, but avoid cutting more than that. If you prune too much, you could overstimulate and stress the plant.
The best way to cut a ripe lemon off its tree
Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labour! Hand-picking is typically the easiest way to get lemons off a tree. Just hold the lemon in your hand and gently tilt it away from the stem, twist it lightly and allow it to snap off. Make sure the whole stem leaves the tree.
Another option is to use clippers or secateurs to make a clean cut above the fruit’s stem. Make sure the rest of the branch is healthy.
Growing lemon trees is fun and worth all the effort. Whether indoors or outdoors, they make a delightful addition to your home and garden. Just remember that regular pruning is key to a happy tree.
