Many homeowners in the southern portion of Alabama have a backyard citrus tree that can survive cold snaps with proper care and maintenance. However, disease difficulties and lack of cold hardiness can make citrus a challenging fruit to grow in some parts of the state.

Citrus a Popular Backyard Tree
Jeremy Pickens, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System horticulture specialist, said learning how to properly care for citrus in the home garden will keep trees productive for years to come.

“As a garden plant, citrus provides a unique texture, season-long dark green foliage, a unique fragrance when in bloom and colorful, edible fruit,” Pickens said. “Healthy plants are more resistant to diseases and insects. Proper installation and maintenance are important to produce healthy plants.”

Tree Selection

Homeowners should purchase trees from a certified nursery. Inspected nurseries will pass examinations by state or federal inspectors to confirm the nursery is producing clean, disease-free plant material.

“Citrus trees grown in a certified nursery will have a tag stating the name of the nursery, registration number, the tree variety and rootstock,” Pickens said.

The following are some tips for homeowners to keep in mind when choosing citrus trees:

• Examine trees for symptoms of pest damage or disease.
• Trees should have dark-colored leaves and a smooth trunk.
• Consider choosing varieties based on cold tolerance—the best-suited rootstock for Alabama is trifoliate orange.
• Choose plants 5/8 to 1 inch in diameter and 2 to 4 feet tall.
• Look for trees with three to four upward-growing side branches.
• Avoid trees with sharp angles that will break under pressure with a heavy crop load.

Planting and Site Selection

Growers can plant citrus any time during the year. However, an early spring planting time is a wise choice to avoid freeze damage.

“A planting location in full sun on the south side of the home is typically warmer, although citrus can be grown less productively under shade,” Pickens said.

Planting site considerations include the following:

• Remove weeds and plant material from the area.
• The planting hole should only be as deep as the root ball.
• The soil line should be level with the tree’s root flare.
• Do not plant the tree any deeper than it was in the pot.
• Fill the remaining area with native soil.
• Watering, Fertilization and Pruning
• Water and fertilizer are important to the establishment of the tree and its growth. From March through June, water the trees twice a week—or 1 to 2 gallons—if there isn’t enough rainfall.

Pickens said citrus are considered heavy feeders. The plants can also handle high fertilizer rates. Consider taking a soil sample and submitting it for testing through the Auburn University Soil, Forage and Water Testing Laboratory to determine the correct amounts of fertilizer and lime to apply. Split the total annual fertilizer recommendation into three applications. To make the timing easier to remember, fertilize near Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Avoid nitrogen applications between September and February, as it will increase the risk of cold damage.

Citrus growers should remove suckers from the base of young trees to prevent issues with tree development. Unlike other fruit trees, mature citrus trees do not require much training and pruning.

“Prune lightly to shape the tree or to remove dead or damaged limbs,” Pickens said. “Excessive pruning usually results in reduced fruit production, vertical shoots or suckers.”

Jacob Kelley, an Alabama Extension commercial horticulture regional agent, said growers should consider skirting the trees after they remove suckers, dead wood and diseased wood.

"This involves removing any branches below 18 to 24 inches from the ground," Kelley said. "Skirting will ensure that the fruit is not touching the ground when the branches begin to bear fruit. Many times, citrus trees will grow vertical shoots from the inner canopy. These branches will grow fast and will outpace the rest of the canopy over time, adding height to the tree."

Kelley said they call this the secondary canopy. It should be removed because these shoots will siphon nutrients needed for flower and fruit production.

"If the secondary canopy does produce fruit, it is usually too high to reach without the use of a ladder," Kelley said. "Removing it can keep fruit within arm’s reach. Remember that pruning can initiate growth; it is best to prune after the last chance of frost in the spring to avoid late-spring freeze damage."

Container-Grown Citrus

Central and north Alabama gardeners can consider patio citrus, grown in containers. However, it is important to remember that container citrus do not have the added insulation of ground temperatures. Therefore, container citrus are more susceptible to mild freezes.

“Dwarfing citrus varieties tolerate container confinement quite well,” Pickens said. “Container-grown citrus allow gardeners to move the plant indoors in case of an imminent freeze."

More Information

Homeowners can learn more about caring for backyard citrus or growing patio citrus in the Alabama Extension publication Citrus Tree Care for the Home Gardener. Additional information about regulated and unregulated citrus pests in Alabama can be found in the publication Citrus Pest Identification and Management Guide.