Should I remove the thorns from my lemon tree?

While many citrus trees grow thorns at some point during their life cycle, pruning them away will not damage the tree. Fruit growers who graft trees should remove thorns from the rootstock when grafting. Most other casual gardeners can safely prune the thorns for safety’s sake without fear of damaging the tree.

When can I prune my Meyer lemon tree?

Wait until the tree is 3-4 feet tall before pruning. Meyers will usually set and ripen the most fruit in winter. So wait until most of the lemons have ripened before you prune your Meyer Lemon Tree. Then when you are ready to prune your tree, pick all (or most) the remaining ripe fruit off.

How do you prune a lemon tree with thorns?

When cutting back lemon trees, be sure to use very sharp, clean pruning shears or saws, and gloves are helpful to protect you from thorns. While the wood of citrus is very strong, the bark is thin and easy to damage. Always make any pruning cuts with the blade toward the tree to reduce nicking the tree.

Can I remove thorns from citrus tree?

Hi Chizu, numerous citrus have thorns, this is very common and does not affect the fruiting ability of the plant. They can be cut off at any time of the year if need be.

Can you cut thorns off Meyer lemon tree?

Pruning Citrus Thorns If the thorns are on branches sprouting from below the grafting union – which is usually a knob near the base of the tree – the best thing to do is to prune them off. Those branches won’t produce ‘Meyer’ lemons and your tree is wasting energy growing them anyway.

Do Improved Meyer lemon trees have thorns?

The Meyer Improved Lemon Tree is a hybrid between a common lemon tree and a mandarin orange tree. This lemon tree variety has a spreading habit and is nearly thornless.

How often should you water a Meyer lemon tree?

Watering Check on your soil once a week. If it feels dry to the touch 2 inches below the surface, it’s time for more water. Slowly pour water into the pot and count to 20, or wait until you see water running out of the bottom of the pot. Generally, Meyer Lemon Trees need water every one to two weeks.

What is an improved Meyer lemon tree?

‘Improved Meyer’ lemon can bloom and produce fruit year round, with fragrant white flowers followed by large, aromatic yellow lemons. Technically a hybrid between a lemon and an orange, the ‘Improved Meyer’ lemon is very juicy, and a little sweeter and less acidic than store bought lemons.

Why do some lemon trees have thorns?

Lime and lemon trees are both members of genus Citrus and many of them have thorns. Thorns protect the delicate juvenile lime lemon tree from hungry animals that want to eat away at the tender leaves and fruits. As citrus trees grow and mature some lose their thorns while some retain them.

Why do some Meyer lemon trees have thorns?

Do lemon trees with thorns produce fruit?

Citrus trees often do not begin to produce fruit until they have been planted in the ground for three or more years. ANSWER: Don’t pull them up. Although breeders have tried to reduce the number and size of thorns on named citrus cultivars, most still produce thorns to some degree.

Should I prune a Meyer lemon tree with thorns?

If the thorns are on branches sprouting from below the grafting union — which is usually a knob near the base of the tree — the best thing to do is to prune them off. Those branches won’t produce Meyer lemons and your tree is wasting energy growing them anyway.

Should thorns be removed from fruit trees?

Mature trees usually grow thorns less frequently than newly grafted trees that still have tender foliage needing protection. Fruit growers who graft trees should remove thorns from the rootstock when grafting.

Do all lemon trees have thorns?

Some of the most common citrus trees that sport thorns are Meyer lemon, most grapefruits, and key limes. Thorns on citrus trees develop at the nodes, often sprouting on new grafts and fruiting wood. Some citrus trees with thorns outgrow them as the tree matures.

Should thorns be removed from the rootstock when grafting?

Fruit growers who graft trees should remove thorns from the rootstock when grafting. Most other casual gardeners can safely prune the thorns for safety’s sake without fear of damaging the tree. Did you find this helpful?