[Arid_gardener] Grapefruit Pruning

[Dick]

Nanna, all citrus bark is sensitive to prolonged, direct sun and, if not 
shaded by foliage, it must be protected with a white latex paint best 
purchased from your nursery. A dark paint will adsorb heat rather than 
reflect it. .

I would never prune citrus that naturally should grow all the way to the 
ground unless an intruding branch slapped my wife along side the head every 
time she walked by--or, maybe I wouldn't.

Any branch you are pressured to lop, be sure that you cut at the very outer 
edge of the shoulder where it emerges from the trunk or a larger branch to 
encourage callus formation. Never prune citrus live wood unless it is a 
nuisance and only in the manner just described. When pruning dead wood, 
always prune back to the shoulder if possible but always back to green wood 
if you can't.

I have four citrus 40+ years old with perfect bark except for one I was 
forced to trim higher to allow access. That one is an ugly mess but most of 
the damage is concealed and it still bears heavily.

To answer your question, leave the tree alone but, having said that. I would 
never allow a tree to cramp my life style but white latex offers perfect 
protection from sunburn.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension


>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: nanni8066 at aol.com
>  To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
>  Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:01 PM
>  Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>   85743
>  nanni8066 at aol.com
>
>  I have a grapefruit tree that's about 9-10 years old.  It has been 
> bearing 50-60 fruits per year for the last couple of years.  Should it be 
> pruned or should I just leave it alone?  If it should be pruned, how best 
> to do so without hurting the tree?  Thanks.
>
>
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