Knowledgebase

Pruning/thinning #818215

Asked January 06, 2023, 10:22 PM EST

I have a Monrovia lemon it’s probably 20+ years old and is totally out of control. I don’t really know where to start? I hope the picture explains.

Tillamook County Oregon

Expert Response

Looks like you have a healthy fruit producer.   Now you can remove any suckers from the base of the stem and remove any dead or diseased branches.
Any other pruning should be done in late winter or early spring after fruit harvest (before new flowers form).  You could thin out interior branches and overlapping branches to let more light & air in.   Prune out any crossing branches.    You could also prune some branch tips to reduce spread.   Always prune a branch just above a leaf.  Don't prune larger branches too close to the trunk - leave 5-6 inches to ease pruning shock.
Most importantly, don't prune more than a third of the tree in any one year.
Bill Hutmacher Replied January 09, 2023, 4:10 PM EST

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