kumquat trees do not respond well to pruning. Nagami and Meiwa being the worst. Your tree has too much cambium to feed with too few leaves to be pruning. My tree looks the same.

So how would I help encourage the tree to form more leaves lower down in the empty cambium area? And what do you mean by not responding well? Thanks

Al

I don't know. Removing the fruit so the tree spends its energy on growth dosn't work on Meiwa kumquat trees so my tree plugs along with old leave that only get replaced when they expire completely.

Steve

Steve my unknown kumquat has been through several pruning, this one respond to more upright growth. This seedling is taller than me, if i did not prune it probably be 8 feet tall or more. I am 6.2.

I would use fish emulsion on the tree because it is high in nitrogen which encourages new leaf growth. Instead of cutting limbs, consider pinching back new growth all over so the tree may concentrate on new growth within the canopy of the tree.

I used fish emulsion on all my trees about 3 weeks ago and am very pleased with the results. I also use Jobes Organic Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertilizer monthly. I had a tree that had only growth on one side of the trunk. Since the FE was applied, new growth has started on the bare side and it looks like it will have a full even canopy all around at some point. I also have a Eureka lemon that has been sulking for about 2 years and it has finally starting growing new branches and leaves to my relief. Using both fertilizers may have encouraged the trees into pushing out new growth.

Bob

Very impressive tree. Have you eaten any fruit from this tree. My seedling kumquat both Meiwa and Fukushu grow better and thicker than both of my grafted Meiwa and Fukushu.

Your fruits look round and that means Meiwa of Marumi. Your tree is 5 feet taller than my seed grown Meiwa and you are 5 inches taller than me.

Last year it had small fruits but fell-of, so do not know yet, have eaten fruits from the mother tree by the handful. The nursery that has this one growing in their greenhouse for a long time, owner don't eat them.

Using both fertilizers may have encouraged the trees into pushing out new growth.

It's also a time of the year when they might be expected to do this

Bob How old is your kumquat tree.

Steve

Not sure, not more than 4. Mother tree is more mushroom shape, very wide.

Those are some good looking trees, think I’ll try pinching all the growth tips on top and see if it’ll force new growth lower down.

Al you grew that from seed only 2 years ago,

Job well done