Question About My Lime Tree?

Question

I have a lime tree, it does grow fruit. Sprouting out of the middle of my tree is a shoot a little bigger around than a pencil, about 5 feet tall with thorns all the way up and totally green. What is it and should I just let it grow or prune it off?

Answer 1

While thorns on citrus fruit trees is normal, if there is a branch that is significantly thornier than the others, it may indicate that the rootstock is trying to produce branches. This sounds like what may be happening here. Typically, branches from the rootstock will grow from the base (but not always) and if you look carefully, you will see that the branch actually starts below the graft line. Rootstock suckers like this should be removed.