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Lemon Trees

Q.How Can I Get Trunk To Grow Thicker And Should I Cut One?

Zone San Antonio, TX | Anonymous added on September 6, 2022 | Answered

Hi, I’ve asked a few questions over the years and you’ve never failed to give a good answer. I used to have a good sized lemon “Bush” (bought at walmart 5 or so years ago). Anyhow, this past late winter we had an awesome snow storm, in San Antonio no less, and it killed it (so I thought). Anyhow, I pulled up it and evidently there was at least 1 main root that survived. So, about 5 months ago I found a couple of sprouts and watered/fertilized them so they would grow hopefully into a proper lemon Tree. Well, we get strong winds occasionally and the trunks didn’t seem strong enough to support them so I staked them and they’ve been growing like crazy and both put out a branch at almost the exact same spot (really weird). My question: what can I do (if anything) to make their trunks thicker so they can support themselves without a stake? And should I cut down one of them or just let them grow together? Thanks

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
GKH_Susan
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on September 14, 2022

Here's my concern. Most lemon trees are grafted (the roots and lower trunk are a sturdier or hardier tree than the canopy, which is desirable for its fruit. The two are grafted together to form one tree.) In your case, the new trees would be from the less desirable lower part of the tree. It may not fruit at all, and if it does, it will be inferior to what your original tree was.

If you want to grow it and see, I suggest removing one if it looks like two separate trees. If they are more like a shrub, you can grow it like a shrub, and prune it to the desired height.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lemons/suckers-on-lemon-trees.htm

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