[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick Gross]

There is no way I know of to stop the flow of sap. I believe I assumed this was a young tree but that may not be the case. If it is producing well, I would be surprised, but if you aren't eating off it, you might be ahead to get rid of it and start over. I would predict that a new five year old tree properly planted beside the old, would overtake the old diseased tree in two or three years with at least twenty years of production ahead of it. The sick and abused adult tree will likely continue to decline and you will be left with nothing.

The University of California once advocated planting three citrus varieties in the same hole three feet apart. The close spacing dwarfed all three and fruiting was reasonably prolific. Just a thought. Don't try to pair a grapefruit with a limequat or tangerine. The grapefruit will overwhelm them.

To reiterate, Laura, in your shoes, I would start over with a new three year old grafted nursery tree of your favorite variety. In my own experience, if three and five year trees are planted side by side at the same time, the three year old will adapt sooner and overtake the older in five years or less.

I have planted young citrus in the same spot previously holding a diseased one with no ill effect. It is best and recommended, however, to locate the new tree in clean soil, if you have a place for it.

Regards,

Dick Gross
Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

Bcc: vosg, azcrfg
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: laura ojeda 
  To: Dick Gross 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 10:13 PM
  Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


  Hello!

  Yes, you know what? The tree had a very low canopy for years and then it was trmmed WAY back. It was several months before I realized that the tree was being affected by sunburn. Then, I painted the tree. It has been about a year now since it was painted and about four months ago it stared 'bleeding'. Do you think it's too late for the tree? Should I scrape off the sappy stuff and paint over those areas again? Thank you for your help.

  Laura

  Dick Gross <rkgross3 at cox.net> wrote:
    Laura, I don't know for sure what has caused this problem but I have a hunch it may be related to sunburn. The natural growth habit for Citrus is to cascade foliage all the way to the ground shading all the bark except for brief windows that move as the sun traverses the sky. The direct exposure is only momentary without damage.

    The custom by homeowners is to trim citrus high enough to drive a semi truck beneath its branches without scratching the paint. Sunburn destroys the bark as evidenced by front yard trees all over the Valley. The condition interferes with the normal flow of fluids through the tree's vascular system. Without that feeding system, carbohydrates manufactured in the foliage can't reach the roots and nutrients adsorbed by feeder roots can't feed the foliage. At least, that is the approximate process, as my mind percieves it, causing the plant or tree to languish. The bark is one of the tree's vital organs without which it cannot survive. 

    Branches exposed to full sun for extended periods can be fully protected by slapping on a coat of white latex paint that reflects enough heat for full protection.

    I don't know enough about your particular situation to say positively that the above is your problem or the only problem but one or two of the thousand or so Master Gardeners in this valley  should weigh in on this common citrus hazard in the Salt River Basin

    Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
    Maricopa County Cooperative rextension.
    .
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: <lauralaurao at yahoo.com>
    To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
    Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 9:10 PM
    Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


    > Laura
    > 85033
    > lauralaurao at yahoo.com
    > 
    > My grapefruit tree is oozing out orangey sap from the trunk and some branches.  The sap turns a crystalized almond color when it falls off.  
    > 
    > We have lived here twelve years and this has never happened.  I don't know the age of the tree.  
    > 
    > Otherwise, the tree has new growth and seems to be healthy.  This has been happening for a few months now.
    > 
    > Could you tell me what this might be.
    > 
    > 
    > _______________________________________________
    > Arid_gardener mailing list
    > Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
    > http://CALS.arizona.edu/mailman2/listinfo/arid_gardener
    > 




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