Pruning your lemon tree correctly ensures it remains healthy, productive, and continues to produce fruit year after year. Here are key steps to follow:
Prune your lemon tree in late winter or early spring, just before the growing season begins. This allows the tree to recover and encourages new growth in time for the fruiting season.
Always use sharp pruning shears or a pruning saw to make clean cuts. Make sure the tools are clean to prevent the spread of disease.
Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. These can hinder growth and may attract pests. Cut them back to healthy wood.
Lemon trees need good air circulation to stay healthy. Thin out the dense areas of the canopy by removing crossing branches and those that grow inward. This helps sunlight reach all parts of the tree.
Prune to maintain a strong, central leader (the main trunk). Trim back any competing branches to ensure a balanced shape, encouraging a sturdy structure that can support fruit.
Prune lightly on fruit-bearing branches, cutting back to about one-third of the tree's total size. This promotes more lateral growth, leading to higher fruit production.