New home, old orange tree

10 years ago

Just bought a home in Los Angeles and my backyard features a citrus tree. This home was unoccupied for quite some time, so most of the yard hasn't been cared for. The oranges on this very mature tree are quite tasty, but it obviously needs some attention. I've attached photos of some of the leaves, the size, the pests and the fungus on them for reference. We're trying to let the grass die so we can install subsurface irrigation, as well as some drought-tolerant turf, but that won't be until the fall at the earliest. I'm guessing some deep watering is in order, but I'm not sure how much it needs in this compacted soil.

So... how do I make this tree happy? Thank you in advance for your answers.

Featured Answer

johnmerr

10 years ago

First, first, first... cut out those tent caterpillars and burn them (the big spidery webs); they can devastate the tree, if you let them hatch.

Second, harvest all the fruit; it is obviously ripe/overripe; and is stealing energy from the tree.

Next, give the tree a large dose of good citrus fertilizer, applied at the dripline and watered in deeply.

If you have fungal issues (on the leaves), spray it with a copper oil spray (but NOT when the temperature is over 80F. When I bought my lemon farm, it was a jungle, nothing more; but it had one 75+yr orange tree; we rescued it; and it produces every year now.

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Comments (6)

PRO
The L.A. Lady
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you John! About how much water should I give it in the first soaking? I have a inline meter for a hose and a 3' root irrigator, so I'm guessing I'll have to move it around a few times.
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johnmerr
10 years ago
First time I would water until you see water standing on the surface. After that water slowly, deeply maybe once a week.
The L.A. Lady thanked johnmerr
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
10 years ago
When you harvest all that fruit, just get a juicer and some freezer bags. Freeze it in one or two cup sizes. It will last a long time that way!
Laura LaRosa (7b)
10 years ago
It will be a lovely tree. Listen to John! How lucky to have such a productive and mature tree in your back yard!
PRO
The L.A. Lady
Original Author
9 years ago
Well it's January and wanted to thank John Merr and everyone who commented (Suzi: I have a dozen or so bags of frozen OJ and gave plenty away! Oh... the margaritas...). The tree is a lot happier after a good trim, deep watering, fertilizing and stripping the fruit. Currently, my yard smells like orange blossoms and i get plenty of windfall fruit for my compost pile. Thanks again!