How to prune lemon tree

Late winter to early spring before new growth begins, or immediately after harvest. Remove all shoots arising from below the graft union (rootstock suckers) flush with the trunk. Cut dead or crossing branches back to their origin. Shorten overly long shoots by one-third to an outward-facing bud. Always use clean, sharp tools and avoid removing more than 25–30% of the canopy at one time.

Annually; remove suckers as soon as spotted throughout the year. Lemon trees need annual pruning to maintain shape, airflow, and fruiting wood. Prune after the main harvest or before the spring growth flush. Remove any suckers from below the graft union immediately. Thin crossing, dead, or inward-growing branches to open the canopy. Tip-pinch young trees to encourage a balanced framework of 3–5 main scaffold branches.

Remove all shoots arising from below the graft union (rootstock suckers) flush with the trunk. Cut dead or crossing branches back to their origin. Shorten overly long shoots by one-third to an outward-facing bud. Always use clean, sharp tools and avoid removing more than 25–30% of the canopy at one time.