Persian lime tree suffering from disease? - Ask Extension
I have a potted Persian lime tree that I bring indoors by a south-facing window in the winter and keep out on my sunny deck in the spring through fall...
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Persian lime tree suffering from disease? #644984
Asked June 02, 2020, 3:53 PM EDT
I have a potted Persian lime tree that I bring indoors by a south-facing window in the winter and keep out on my sunny deck in the spring through fall. The tops of most of the leaves of the tree look evenly green and healthy, but the underside of some leaves have yellow and rust-colored discoloration. Is this normal or indicative of a disease or fungus? If abnormal, how do I treat it?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank youvfor the images.
Please send one or two more -- The plant and it's surroundings, another with just the plant.
Hi Jean, and thanks for your quick response. I’ve attached a few more photos showing the deck where the tree is kept outside of the winter months and a photo with a view of the complete tree. The lime tree in question is in the square silver container. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Yes, I do have another question.
The base of the affected tree appears unusual.
Please take another image of just the lower foot or so. Put a cardboard or something else close behind it so that you can focus in well.
Here are the additional photos you requested. We have had a problem with “sucker” branches sprouting from the lower portion of the tree. They have a different leaf pattern and shape and don’t blossom or produce fruit. I cut them off when they grow enough that it becomes clear they are different from the primary tree. You might see remnants of some of these previously cut branches near the tree base.
Thank you for the additional images.
The good news is that I don't see damage at the base whereas the bad news is that I think the problem is originating somewhere at the base of the trunk or in the roots.
Some more questions:
- When was it planted in that container?
- Was the rootball disrupted at that time? (Cracked or broken or trimmed or?)
- How deep is it planted, as in where is the original soil surface?
Oh, yes, a few things that you can attend to that aren't associated with the yellow leaves. Remove all the sprouts from below the jog in the stem. (That jog indicates where the graft starts. Anything below the graft is root stock which may "take over the tree" but not produce fruit. It may be easiest to sharply snap them off.
Also, I see a number of dead branch stubs. Cut them off at the junction of green wood with dead wood but not into the green.
And finally remove the sizeable stub -- if you can safely do so -- that's snug against the base of the trunk below the graft. If not, be certain to remove any shoots that arise from it.
Consider inviting at least 3 Certified Arborists for on-site
evaluations. You may have to call a umber of them until you find someone familiar with citrus trees.
We suggest Certified Arborists because they must pass a
test and acquire continuing education credits. You can locate such
persons by searching with your zip code at https://www.treesaregood.org/. Most companies serve clients in all 3 metro counties.
