No. Semi dwarf would be on rootstocks like c35.

true dwarf only has two rootstock options flying dragon and us-897. Us-897 isn't available in any quarantine state besides Florida.

I just got more confused but it sounds like you're saying true dwarf eureka isn't available in California?

Assuming that's the case, can I go ahead and buy the semi dwarf lemon and prune it to keep it small without harming it?

True dwarf on flying dragon is possible in California but I don't know who sells them.

you can prune to keep it small but you risk pruning the fruit bearing branches off.

Four winds usually sells them but they are out of stock online but that doesn't necessarily mean anything for you, I know they don't ship in California and stock their trees at nursery's instead. It might be worth a phone call to ask if they stocked any Eureka's at local nursery's this year. If you really want a true dwarf it may be worth it to wait it out and call around and see what you can find. If you don't mind the tree getting larger or more calculated pruning maintenance you can go with something not on flying dragon but if it were me and I was that concerned about the size i'd wait. It will be there a long time and 5-8 years down the road is not the time to be wishing you'd waited.

https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/store/principal-lemon-trees.html

Four winds are semidwarf. They false advertise true dwarf, unfortunately.

unless you grow in a pot then it's a dwarf

its well known and if someone would like to confirm that would be great

I was at a local four winds yesterday and found no stock of any true dwarf eureka. I saw a buddha's hand true dwarf at OSH and that was as close as I found. I'll call four winds tomorrow to see if they can order one for me.

Just found this remark on four wind's site. Not sure what they mean by that but doesn't look promising.

Citrus trees purchased through our mail order website are all grafted on dwarf rootstocks that are perfect for container growing. If planted in the ground dwarf trees can be expected to reach “Semi-Dwarf” size – up to around 16 feet in height, depending upon variety. In a pot, the dwarf trees will stay much smaller, especially with judicious pruning. Standard size citrus trees, available at California nurseries, are best suited for growing in the ground and can be expected to get much taller – up to 25 feet, depending on variety. Be sure to provide more space in the ground for standard size trees. Generally, a Dwarf tree needs an 8-10 foot diameter space, while a Standard tree should be provided with a larger growing space – up to 15 feet in diameter.

Eureka lemons and Flying dragon/Poncirus Trifoliata are Incompatible. US 897 is the only other dwarfing rootstock available and it is not used anywhere due to its high death rate after 10 years. It is not possible to get a dwarf eureka lemon tree.

Skip the eureka and get a lemon that is unique and can't be bought at any store or fruit stand. If you are zone 9 or less get a harvey lemon. Those trees can go down to 10F with little to no damage. Every one seems to love the Meyer lemon. It is the most prolific of all citrus trees, nearly rubble fre when grown in ground and gives 2x times the lemon flavor per unit of sour. The peal is even edible and does well candied. It can go down to 20F with survivable damage. It is a true dwarf no mater what rootstock it is on. A Calamondin works well and has a sweet tasty peal to eat. Me I hate lemons and you couldn't pay me to grow them

6b Steve

Thanks for the info guys! I clearly did not read the fine print or only remembered for container growing that it would be ok for me. I love that I get to learn something every time I am here.

Steve I have heard of the Harvey lemon being a more cold hardy cultivar in Florida, do you suppose it could be grown in ground in 8a with light winter protection? (like a cold frame/frost blanket/xmas light approach?) or would it simply be a death sentace? We don't get below freezing often, or at least we never used to, our summers seem to be 2x as hot and our winters are having some snowfall where it was rare in previous years.

Sammers The Harvey will do very well in your climate. You might even consider a bloomsweet grapefruit/lemon. They can go down to 10F. It is a sweet lemon.

6b Steve