After the hurricanes, my Citrus were beaten, broken and lost 1/2 to 3/4 of their mass. I had doubts about them surviving, but they have recovered.

My question is about the Var. Pink Lemon Tree. It is a Standard (1 trunk, bushy top) and had not a leaf left after the storms. It now has come back beautifully, but is flattening out after rains, to the point of the branches breaking. The trunk is supported by rebar and tree ties. The long, heavily-leafed branches were tied up using bungie cords to make a nicer shape, and so hubby could mow around it. Tonight I noticed the tree looked really odd, much shorter and wider. The bungies had broken, and the wet branches were twisted and sagging to the ground. The tree is loaded with fruit. I redid the support with new bungies, but obviously, supporting them has not helped the tree get stronger. Does tying up branches actually make them weaker?

As a general rule, Citrus are not pruned, but I'm thinking about a severe cut-back after harvest. Of course that will remove most of the fruiting parts:(

Is staking/tying up branches a good or bad idea in general?

I think I know the answer, since the other citrus that are not supported are not having this problem.

Lisa