fruit trees

[karen]

when do you prune back fruit trees as our orange has no more fruit on it or what would it cost to get someone in to cut it back.

[rat]

After fruiting is the ideal time to prune fruit (citrus) trees, first prune out any die back, then look for gall wasp damage, this is an enlarged area within the stem, this should be pruned off place in a plastic bag, sprayed with fly spray then tied and placed in your rubbish bin. Prune back any stems going in the wrong direction and finally remove about a third of the foliage. Any large stems paint over with a water based paint (more than 25mm dia). When finished clean your cutting tools with a disinfectant. It is now time to apply a fertiliser low in nitrogen and about 8% phosphorus and as high in potassium as you can find, use a hand full for every two years of growth, do not apply near the trunk but out below the outside leaves (drip Zone) as this is where the feeder roots are. Use a nitrogen fertiliser once fruit has set.

Cheers Phil

[resawoodell]

Prune your orange tree just prior to bloom time or just after fruit set. In the warmer region, it will be beneficial to prune between February and April. While in cooler areas prune until late February or March.

You can also seek yard work services for professional advice.