How to Prune a Lemon Tree So it Produces Fruit for Years to Come

Lemon and citrus trees don’t require too much pruning in order for them to produce large volumes of fruit. However, pruning is still important because it can lower the risk of fungal issues—especially if you grew your lemon tree from seed—and keep it looking beautiful. Here, we chatted with a master gardener and an arborist specializing in citrus trees about how to prune these trees the right way. Read on for their advice on how to prune for a healthy, fruitful harvest.

The Benefits of Pruning 

There are several benefits to pruning lemon trees. “Pruning helps increase airflow through branches, which can help lower the chances of fungal issues," says Kitti Cooper, the owner of Cooper Farm. “Pruning helps sunlight reach all the nooks and crannies," adds Manny Barra, a master gardener at TeachMe.To. "That means better fruit, and less of those shady hiding spots for pests.”

Pruning a lemon tree also has aesthetic value. “A pruned lemon tree can also be more pleasing to the eye [since it's] clean and tidy,” adds Cooper. In fact, lemon trees can even be pruned at a young age to resemble topiaries. The result is a classic French countryside look that resembles a garden from the hit Netflix show "Bridgerton."

When to Prune

The best time to prune a lemon tree is right after all the fruit has been harvested, which can vary depending on your USDA zone. However, it typically happens in later winter or early spring. “This timeframe ensures you aren’t pruning off any future branches. They may be in the process of producing blooms,” says Cooper. The next best time to prune is right after the last frost of the season, when you can cut back any damaged or dead branches.

When Not to Prune

There are a few times you should never prune a lemon tree. It’s always a good idea to know when to stop pruning your plants for the season—doing so during the wrong moment can leave lemon trees more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and general drama.

“You never want to prune during a heatwave," says Barra. "Your lemon tree doesn’t need to deal with dehydration and a bad haircut." And never prune more than 30 percent of the lemon tree, or you'll make your tree go into shock, says Cooper: “You'll notice loss of leaves, and a generally sad tree.”

How to Prune 

Once you've determined it's the right time to prune, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get started. Before you do, make sure to choose clean, sharp pruning tools, and gloves. You may also need a stepping stool or small ladder to reach higher branches.

Look for Dead Branches

Barra recommends checking the tree for obviously dead, damaged, or diseased branches first. “You can typically find these by snapping a branch to check its health,” says Cooper. “Green inside the means the branch is alive, while brown means the branch is dead.”

When trimming a dead branch, start at the ends of the branch. Trim until you see green, then don’t go any further—otherwise, you'll be cutting away parts that are still alive.

Check for Criss-Crossing Branches

Trim any branches that are crossing over others. These can impair the lemon tree’s overall growth by impacting any good airflow and light that it receives.

Shape Your Tree

For the most aesthetically pleasing shape, start pruning your lemon tree from the bottom up, saving your tree’s canopy for last.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake, experts say, is pruning a lemon tree immediately after an early frost. “Always wait until your last frost of the season,” says Cooper. “Dead branches can help insulate your tree from the cold prior to a freeze.”

Also, make sure you don't go overboard when pruning. “It's easy to get carried away,” adds Cooper. “But taking the time to trim, stand back, and examine the whole tree can help you see the bigger picture—and prevent you from overdoing it.”

Finally, don't forget to clean your tools. “Using dirty shears is like bringing germs to the tree’s open wounds,” says Barra. “So keep it clean, be patient, and channel your inner tree whisperer instead of a mad scientist.”