I have a large lemon tree in my yard that has been very healthy for years. It was full of green leaves and put out many more juicy lemons than I could use. A month and a half ago, I pruned several of the branches. My shears were not sharp enough for some of the branches to clip off, so I had to rock the shears back and forth until they ripped off. Almost immediately, the leaves began to slowly curl. Over the next two weeks or so, the leaves went from deep green to light green. Also, all the lemons rotted and died. Now (6 weeks later), every leaf is bright yellow and the tree may be dead. I live in a moderate climate (San Francisco, CA), and have had this tree for 15 years. I have not changed my maintenance program (water once a week) and am not sure why clipping a couple branches would kill the tree. Why would the tree die? Can it still be saved?
What you've described certainly sounds like the damage caused by a root rot...either from Phytopthora citropthora or Phytopthora parasitica. It's purely coincidental that your tree died shortly after you pruned. However, if you made an incision in the bark close to soil level, it may have provided the means which allowed the fungus to enter.
Root rots, which attack citrus, are very aggressive and since they girdle the trunk (slightly below the soil line), the water supply is cut off and the tree will begin to show signs of decline. Root rots usually show up in early spring and since the Bay Area had a streak of warm weather recently (couple of weeks ago), the disease may have showed up then. Phytopthora usually enters through the root tips but can also enter through any wounds caused by insects or pruning.
You may still be able to salvage your tree by treating it by treating the soil with a fungicide called "Aliette". This product is bottled by Monterey Products and can be found in some of the independent nurseries. You simply mix it with water, apply it over the entire soil under your lemon tree and then water it in. It is very effective on most root rots and also controls Fire Blight on pears and apples.
Unfortunately, once the disease is present, it persists in the soil for many, many years (with or without the tree present). IF you do lose your lemon tree, I would advise you to treat your new lemon tree with the Aliette on an annual basis. It's also a good idea to spread some clean compost and manure around the base of the tree....this provides additional beneficial bacteria and fungi that can eliminate/reduce the incidence of disease in the future.
Also, in the future, I would recommend that you keep your pruning shears sharpened and well-oiled. You should spray/dip your shears in a mild solution of bleach & water to eliminate any diseases from spreading. Spray a light film of oil on them to prevent any rust from forming.
Hope this provides you with the necessary information to decide what to do. GOOD LUCK!
-Certified Professional Crop Consultant with over 30 years of experience and a Degree in Plant Science
Either you haven't been giving it fertilizer, and or water. Or you have been giving it too much fertilizer. Immediatey give it some (but not too much) and plenty of water. Then asap, buy another lemon tree, and plant it close to the lemon tree. Hopefully, the new tree will give it some strength. If the tree dies, you'll still have a lemon tree. As a test, for saving it, cut off any dead limbs and dead leaves, and water the tree, promptly!
If the leaves on your tree is curled up, it means the weather was too cold for the tree. There was a freeze in the beginning of this year, so that is normal, especially when you live in SF. Your leaves are turning light green color because the tree is losing nutrition. Do you give fertilizer to your tree once a month? I work for a citrus nursery in Fremont, CA. Please check out our website at www.fourwindsgrowers.com. If you need more help, you can definately give us a call.
Possible you spread a virus by using old, dirty shears.
Maybe ants killed it. Thats what happened to mine in San Diego. Try more water and get some citrus feed stakes from Home Depot. Good Luck!!
The sad truth is that you've probably lost it. Improper pruning, especially as you've described it, opens pathways for disease processes that quickly spread throughout the entire tree.
Only a trained arborist can tell you for sure but my experiences tell me that your tree is probably not going to be saved.
Two things may be wrong. Your pruning doesn't help,but that's just coincidental. One thing your old tree may have is Lemon Tree Borer.This insect attacks a number of pipfruit ans stonefruit as well as Lemons.The borer tunnels into the tree,the branches slowly die,and leaves fall off. You should cut out all dead wood with sharp secateurs or shears,and spray with Orthene. Or your tree could have a mineral deficiency. Best ask your garden centre,as I don't know conditions where you live. My tree in Nz is over 50 years old, suffers from the same problems.The other drastic thing you can do,is to prune all the old wood off,and let tree re-establish itself with new growth. Might mean you lose fruit for a couple of seasons. Good Luck!
================================================================
Special offer: Free Domain & cPanel Hosting for only $2.99 at https://SecureSignup.net !
================================================================
Spam Filtered (ID:3479463)
