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eric580

Pruning my lemon tree

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago


Hello, I have an indoor lemon tree that I just repotted. How long should I wait to prune it and which branches should I prune? I have attached some photos too. The tree is about six years old. Thanks!



Comments (12)

  • 9 years ago

    I would prime back both of those very long branches, which should force the tree to branch out more. I would bring them down closer to the height of the rest of the tree.

    eric580 thanked Laura LaRosa (7b)
  • 9 years ago

    I agree with Tom ;-)

    eric580 thanked Laura LaRosa (7b)
  • 9 years ago

    cut their at the white lines and keep branches in the window where they will get light. If it were my tree I would not cut but break the limb backwards so that the tree can still make food from the leaves but not grow above the break

    6b Steve

    eric580 thanked poncirusguy6b452xx
  • 9 years ago

    Steve, do you mean break or bend?

    eric580 thanked Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I break it to the point of damage but not disconnect. The leaves at the ends will do their job through the winter. When the leave finally turn yellow and drop it is time to remove the broken end. If my tree starts growth shoots above the break/bend I remove them. you can also air layer the end pieces.

    6b Steve

    eric580 thanked poncirusguy6b452xx
  • 9 years ago

    The tree might not be getting enough light, that's why the two branches are so leggy. It's trying to grow up through the 'undergrowth' to reach more sun. Is there any other spot you can put it so that it will get more sun? I have the same problem with some dragonfruit that I'm growing from seed, they only get a few hours of afternoon sun and so they are growing up thin. I'll eventually move them outdoors next spring, but for now all the growth is very spindly.

    eric580 thanked Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
  • 9 years ago

    Unless those two branches which appear to be 6 feet long are water sprouts gone wild, I think Jason is on target with the reason the tree is lanky. If you don't have a better window with direct sun for 5+ hours, you probably need to invest in some lights since it is an indoor tree, that is you only solution to get a viable more bush shape tree. I would light the tree - focus on the core - within 4 feet of the pot. When the stems bud out and form new branches and leaves (seems to take 2 months for me on new trees), then trim back the tree like Steve indicated.

    eric580 thanked Ken "Fruity Paws" (N-Va 7a)
  • 9 years ago

    I would just put it on a small table or something else to raise it to window height. I've noticed much more branching at the bottom when it has under-light or at least full light on the whole tree. I don't know if you have room on the table in the picture but maybe scooting the stuff on it over and placing it there would work for you. Then prune it in the spring.

    eric580 thanked Sammers510
  • 9 years ago

    Thanks! It was on the shelf but I put it on the floor for a better picture. It's in a room with windows all around so I hope it's getting enough light. When I repotted the tree, its roots were tightly wrapped around the plastic drain tray. I untangled as much as possible so maybe it grew leggy because its roots were too wrapped? I'll let it rest for a couple weeks before pruning to let the roots adjust.

  • 9 years ago

    Oh yeah I have to wait until Spring anyway plenty of time!