5 Considerations When Choosing Citrus Trees For The Landscaping
Adding one or more citrus trees to your landscaping provides you with an attractive shade tree and a source of fresh fruit. The following can help you decide when trying to choose the citrus variety to plant.
1. Site Requirements
Most citrus trees require all-day direct sunshine. They aren't suitable to use in dense landscaping where other trees or buildings block the sun exposure. An ideal spot for citrus is near paving or large fences where heat and light can reflect back onto the tree. The soil in the site you choose must also be well-draining, as citrus can't grow in wet soil.
2. Temperature Sensitivity
Citrus tends to be very sensitive to cold temperatures, but there are some varieties that are more cold-hardy than others. This means you can still grow citrus in areas with infrequent freezes. Look at historical freeze records for your area to determine how often freezes occur. Further, check the lowest recorded temperatures over the last couple of decades. It's best to choose a citrus tree that is hardy down to the coldest temperature you can expect in your area.
3. Pollination Needs
The vast majority of citrus varieties are self-pollinated. This is good news since that means you can use as little as one tree in your landscaping and still expect to get fruit. There are a few exceptions, though, most namely the mandarin orange varieties. If you are planning to only put in one tree, then always verify that you choose a self-pollinating variety.
4. Pest Concerns
Pests and diseases can destroy the fruit and even kill a tree. Citrus leafminers, certain types of fungus, and citrus gall wasps are a few of the pests that target citrus trees. Pests and diseases can be regional, so check with your landscapers, a local nursery, or your county extension office to find out which pests are most active in your area. This way you can choose citrus varieties that are more resilient to the most common local pests.
5. Mature Size
Overhead lines and other structures can become a hazard if your trees eventually grow too tall. Citrus tree heights can vary, so always refer to the expected mature size for any varieties you are considering to make sure it won't become a problem later. If the best place in your landscaping for citrus is also the area with overhead lines, there are dwarf varieties of lemons, oranges, and other types of citrus. These generally won't grow as tall as their full-size counterparts.
Contact a landscaping service for more help when it comes to adding landscaping citrus trees.