How To Prune Citrus Trees - Palmers

Skip to content

Welcome to Palmers! Start shopping by selecting your local store. Choose Store

Select your Palmers store

Enter your postcode Shop Palmers

• Shop Garden
• Shop Outdoor Living
• Expert Advice

About
• About Us
• Palmers History
• Join the Franchise
• Our Stores
• Contact Us
• Careers
• Business For Sale
Gift Cards
• Buy a Palmers Gift Card
• Check Your Gift Card Balance
Café Botannix Store Locator

FEATURED

Summer Gardening Ideas

Discover now Garden Plants

• Fruit
• Vegetables & Herbs
• Houseplants
• Perennials
• Shrubs
• Roses
• Trees
• Seeds
• Bulbs
• Other Plants

Lawns

• Lawn Seed
• Lawn Fertiliser
• Lawncare

Plant Health & Pest Control

• Fertiliser & Plant Health
• Garden Pest & Disease Control
• Weed Control

Growing Media, Compost & Fertiliser

• Potting Mix
• Mulch
• Compost
• Landscaping Supplies

Watering

• Hoses
• Sprinklers
• Hose Fittings & Accessories
• Micro Irrigation

Garden Tools & Gloves

• Garden Tools
• Gloves
• Garden Accessories
• Kid's Tools

Pots

• Indoor Pots
• Outdoor Pots
• Bird Bath

Pet

• Mutt Butter
• Wild Bird

Giftware

• Jellycat
• Books
• Health & Beauty
• Toys & Games

Outdoor Living

• Gasmate Barbeques & Accessories
• Outdoor Accessories & Games
• Outdoor Furniture
• Outdoor Pots
• Vegepods
• Water Features
• Glasshouse

Weber

• Weber Barbeques
• Weber Accessories
• Weber Charcoal Barbeques
• Weber Charcoal Accessories
• Weber Smokers
• Weber Books

Spa Pools How To Guides

• How To Guides
• Monthly Gardening Checklists
• Garden Guide Videos

Gardening Inspiration

• Palmers Edibles Magazine
• Gardening Inspiration
• Kid's Gardening
• Recipes

Advice & Help

• Resources
• Legionnaires' Disease
• Myrtle Rust
• Workshops & Events

• new to Palmers Rewards?

  Sign up to join Palmers Rewards now so you can start growing your rewards!

  

• Recently made a purchase in-store?

  Enter the code on the bottom of your receipt to earn points towards your first reward!

  

• Already a Palmers rewards member?

  Activate your online account using your email or phone number or your physical Palmers Rewards card.

  

Register now

Already have an account? Login now

• Home
• Garden Guide Videos
• How to Prune Citrus Trees

How to Prune Citrus Trees Pruning fruit trees may seem like a daunting task, but citrus trees are resilient and will benefit greatly from you removing dead, diseased or unnecessary branches. Citrus in your garden

It wouldn’t be a kiwi garden without the iconic citrus tree. Every gardener should have one. Easy- peel mandarins and oranges are a favourite with the kids and lemons and limes are perfect in drinks or cooking. They are also highly ornamental in pots, perfect if you're short on space!

Pruning fruit trees may seem like a daunting task, but citrus trees are resilient and will benefit greatly from you removing dead, diseased or unnecessary branches.

Here's how:

Very little pruning is required in the first 2-3 few years, only prune to shape. After this period remove dead or broken branches or for dense growing varieties remove branches to allow sunlight and good air circulation to the middle of the tree, this helps with disease prevention. It is not recommended to remove large branches as this encourages lots of new growth which will then need to be removed again.

Cut just above each growth bud and when removing dead or diseased wood, always cut through the healthy tissue below the diseased section. Paint large cuts with a sealing compound like Yates Prunetec to protect your tree against disease.

Harvest fruit prior to pruning. The best time to prune your citrus is after fruiting in Spring. In frost free regions, pruning can be done at any time of year. In frost prone regions, avoid pruning in Winter because this will push soft new growth that hasn’t had time to harden off, and it will be damaged by frost.

Related products

20% Off Lemon Meyer - 3L Sale price$23.99 Regular price$29.99 200568 Check at other stores Yates Prunetec Pruning & Grafting Sealant - 200ml Sale price$36.99 122549 Check at other stores Palmers Folding Pruning Saw Sale price$21.99 998072447 Check at other stores Mandarin Encore - 25L Sale price$139.99 998090755 Check at other stores Palmers Telescopic Bypass Lopper Sale price$44.99 998068486 Check at other stores Palmers Bypass Secateurs PVC Grip Sale price$13.99 998068490 Check at other stores 20% Off Lime Tahitian - 3L Sale price$26.39 Regular price$32.99 998004886 Check at other stores Palmers Glove - Small Sale price$8.99 382018 Check at other stores Palmers Glove - Medium Sale price$8.99 382017 Check at other stores Palmers Glove - Large Sale price$8.99 382016 Check at other stores

Shipping across New Zealand*

Delivery for online orders to your house, workplace or wherever you're getting into the garden.We ship Monday to Thursday to ensure your order isn't held at a courier depot longer than necessary.

Palmers Promise

If anything you buy fails to grow, return it with proof of purchase within 12 months and we'll provide a replacement*.

Online Order Support

If you require assistance with your order, please contact us.

Secure payments

Shop with confidence! We use secure online shopping payment technology.

QWERTY