how to bring back an orange tree from the dead (forum)

LydiaB starts with ...
When we bought the property 5 years ago there were 2 healthy orange trees (sorry dont know what sort). Moving in this week I thought one of them was dead. (The other is fine). Upon removing all the weeds I found new shoots at the base. (See photo). I also found many exposed roots and ant nests. Can someone advise whether this tree can be saved or if it is even worth saving? I might be better off just starting with a new tree. Also, I am using leaf litter from the mostly native garden as an emergency mulch (Bellingen is in drought and I havent had a chance to buy an alternative as we are unpacking). Is that OK?
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Time: 11th January 2015 10:34am

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About the Author LydiaB
Bellingen
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jakfruit etiquette says...
The shoot coming out of the ground has 3 leaflets per leaf, it is the grafting rootstock sucker, probably Swingle rootstock. The shoots coming out the trunk higher up dont seem to be 3 leaved, they should be the fruiting Citrus. I would cut the dead trunk off just below the V where it splits into 2 branches, and control the rootstock suckers as the will take over. See if it grows back with a little TLC.

Time: 11th January 2015 10:54am

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About the Author jakfruit etiquette
vic
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Upper mountains says...
I know how to kill citrus trees: with mushroom compost or anything which contains salt. Maybe it had wet feet? OUr neighbours lemon died after too much rain.

Time: 13th January 2015 5:25pm

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About the Author loewenzahn
Katoomba
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LydiaB says...
I suspect it was not killed with mushroom compost - more likely no compost! These trees have been neglected for a few years. Wet feet unlikley as the orange tree next to it is fine. And Bellingen has been in drought for 2 years. On the othef hand I took jakfruit etiquette's ad ice and cut it back and found holes in the trunk like something has bored through (see attached). Any ideas what that may have been?
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Time: 19th January 2015 10:48am

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Bellingen
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JohnMc1 says...
Not wrong, in my humble opinion I wouldn't bother, I'd rip it out and start again. With a freshly prepared hole and a young vigorous named variety looked after from planting out, it will be producing fruit before you know it.

Time: 19th January 2015 12:05pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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LydiaB says...
I think you're right JohnMc1


Time: 19th January 2015 12:17pm

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About the Author LydiaB
,,NT
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