Citrus Virus/Dying tree (forum)

tamarindyuzu starts with ...
When we moved into our new home recently we inherited a lemon tree. My first thought was that it was planted in the wrong spot by the previous owners. The soil stays really moist over winter as it is overshadowed by some native trees and only gets partial sun.

It looks like its dying. This picture was taken at the end of summer. We haven't gotten a crop in the last year.

Can any one help my identify if it has a virus or a disease, and suggestions would help with what to do with the tree.

Thanks
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 22nd February 2018 9:50pm

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Miranda
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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Tamarind

Your lemon tree is slowly dying because of waterlogging as evidenced by the die backs on its branches starting from the tips of the stems progressing inwards to the bigger limbs.

It's hard to save it. I would like to skeletonize it but it might be late in the season now. It's usually done in spring. Skeletonizing means pruning it hard at least by half to remove all the dead branches and hoped they will sprout new growth.

Another observation of mine is the thick mulch around the base of the lemon tree. It is aggravating the waterlogging problem by trapping the excess moisture. In my opinion it is better to remove all the mulch and weeds around the lemon to let the excess water evaporate quickly thus helping the tree breath more easily.

If you are planning to replace the citrus plant it in a higher ground like in a raised bed to avoid same problem in the future.

Happy gardening :-)

Time: 24th February 2018 8:25pm

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Original Post was last edited: 25th February 2018 7:08am

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tamarindyuzu says...
Thanks for the tips! that was very helpful

Time: 26th February 2018 7:32pm

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Slicko says...
Hi
I agree with fruity's assessment of your lemon tree's situation. It is in a very sad state but if it is not too far gone it might be recoverable.
Because it is obviously a fairly advanced tree and has been carrying fruit I think it is worth the effort of trying to save it. It has to be removed from its present environment. Firstly I would skeletonise as fruity suggests and then remove it from its present position retaining as large a root ball as possible. It needs to go somewhere it can drain and I would suggest a large plastic pot, say about 60cm that has been partially filled with a good free draining potting mix. Knock any loose soil from the root ball and trim the roots back so that it will fit in the pot.
Set it in the pot so that it is about 2 cm below the rim and that the soil level is at the same level against the trunk. Make sure the tree is supported.
I would then give it a dose of anti root rot and another of seasol to encourage the live roots to start working. No fertiliser at this stage. Because the cold months are coming the tree needs a warm sheltered position but one where it is out of the direct sun. Watch for green shoots in spring.
Good luck with it.

Time: 1st March 2018 6:39am

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Original Post was last edited: 1st March 2018 12:13pm

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