Lime tree pruning (forum)

Colin starts with ...
Our Tahitian lime tree is very bushy with very little fruit. It is 2 years old. It is two metres high and looks very healthy. Should I prune it and if so, when and how much? Thankyou

Time: 2nd February 2011 11:33am

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About the Author Colin4
Landsdale WA 6065
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Brad says...
Can you show a photo Colin? did it flower this spring/summer? hold any fruit

The answer about pruning depends on a few things. e.g. is it in a spot you're happy to let it get big or do you want to keep it smaller long term? you want to shape it while young not leave it later.

if there's any dead wood chop it out.
also prune out wood crossing back into the canopy or brushing agains other branches (prune to outward facing bud or it will repeat) - this lets in light and air resulting in more fruit and less fungal risk

if you want to maximise fruit rather than growth aim for diagonal to horizontal branches. there's no point having fruit so high you can't reach it. you can tie down young branches or chop out upright growth depending on what you want



Time: 2nd February 2011 5:17pm

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About the Author Brad2
G hill,Perth
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Julie says...
My Tahitian lime, around 15 years old, is about 2 metres tall. Limes aren't as big as other citrus, it is quite a small tree.

Citrus aren't generally pruned, except to get rid of dead wood. They don't grow back as fast as deciduous fruit trees.

Time: 3rd February 2011 2:13am

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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Brad says...
Julie might be right about size - but that may also depend on soil (Julie - yours might be a little dwarfed by rock?). my limes are (still) in pots and the citrus I prune for others aren't limes, but weren't looked after young and are in close proximity to walls. I find light pruning before flowering or after fruiting beneficial on citrus.

Time: 3rd February 2011 1:45pm

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About the Author Brad2
G hill,Perth
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Julie says...
Brad, I doubt it is dwarfed by rock, judging by how many rock walls there are. The previous owner obviously spent a lot of time removing rocks!

I was comparing the lime to my other citrus: Naval orange,Valencia,Seville, grapefruit and mandarin, all of which are much bigger.

Oddly, it doesn't seem to get dead wood like all the others.

Time: 3rd February 2011 7:26pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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