get a support stick or wire and tie the branch up.

Bob always gives great advice. I never knew that about fruit trees BOb, thanks.

I might add that for my trees, pruning is done when I know they wil push out new growth actively growing, not in the middle of winter, unless they are under lots of light and warmth, because mine need all the leaves they can get to help the roots store energy and nutrients. I would prune it once I see active growth in spring sometime, That's just me. I'd risk the chance ot taking about what few leaves I have left only to decline in vigour before winters end.

Bob, I thought you cut your citrus all the way back (but above graft), like that peach? To correct the form.

This lime shows NO signs of new branches along the straight part. Which is why I am tempted to cut, I just have no idea if this is advisable AND if it is OK to have no leaves until it starts regrowth. Many plants do respond well to this type of renovation (yes, I would wait to early spring)...but then again...all my citrus just seem to grow so slow and resist making new branches. I use ample containers, full sun, and biweekly fertilizer with micros.

I have also tried bending branches (new growth) to my will and they seem like only minor changes in direction can be achieved.

All the lateral branches including the bigger side branch can be pinch(tip), all the others cut off flush. Here is what happens, since the tip of the longest side branch is lower than where the branch started( right at the trunk) it will start growing water sprouts right at the highest point of the side branch. It means the tree will still be out of wack.

Growing season start very soon, don’t worry about it now, just pick up some know how for now, you be alright.

update: I guess Mr. Lime heard me talking and decided to put on a show. Those 2 branches have been blooming for a few weeks (my only citrus in bloom) and for the first time EVER it is now pushing some new growth along the main stem. Still looks very unbalanced, but hey, I'll take it.

Hibiscus, I completely topped a Tarocco I purchased two years ago that arrived with a major infestation of whiteflies and scale. The tree bounced back and is now larger than half of my other citrus. I have a feeling it set me back a year or so in blooming, but I’m hoping it was worth it in the end.

That’s what I wanted to know, thanks! So there was NO foliage remaining when you cut it back?

Kelley made the right decision, yes, you be surprised how well it bounce back, not only that, you will see a few new branches coming, than you can pick and choose the ones you want to keep. Have that tree growing the way you want it to look.

When you make your cut, find a top bud and cut at a slight angle just above the bud. Why? Because water don’t collect there,especially I you live in a high humid zone.

Don’t leave a long stub above that bud. Always cut flush Branches you don’t want once the tree gets going, like ingrowing branches, keep the interior clean. A flush cut will heal much quicker and not prone to diseases.

Hibiscus, I reduced it to a stick in a pot! Lol, it was terrifying! Here’s what it looks like now. It produced a bunch of branches lower down on the trunk that gave it a fuller, more balanced look. (It’s the middle tree)

Here’s the post about it:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5317035/tarocco-blood-orange-pruning-experiment#n=34

Kelley, God I wish I had everything waking upi like you down there, and look at all that new flush on your trees. That is so exciting I am sure. Wow, looks like you also had some natural rain nutrients to boot. Lucky)

Kelley, a jungle in the making? Enjoy watching your progress. Now it’s time to cut down those pine trees, You need a backhoe to take out the rootballs too, that’s a problem.

thanks for the link, Kelley, I was dreading having to search for it with the useless Houzz interface.

I kind of want to chop all my trees because the form is so horrible. And I've given them time to improve. Mr Lime seems to be telling me I gotta wait YEARS for things to get better on their own.

You should try it with the lime! I‘m considering topping a few other trees as well. My Four Winds’ trees have the best shape. The others are a bit wacky lol.

Mike, I’m praying the new growth matures before the dreaded CLM arrives! I know it’s cosmetic, but they‘re the bane of my existence! Lol