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Many Marco Island homes have citrus trees in the yard. The planting and care of citrus trees are very important. Many do not survive due to a lack of understanding of these techniques.

Citrus need full sun and anything less can harm the growth and production of the trees. Appropriate spacing is necessary as most citrus trees are rapid growers and large round trees. Plant citrus trees at least 20 to 25 feet apart to allow for mature growth. Citrus trees should be planted at least 15 feet from buildings or other large ornamentals.

Before planting clear the area of all grass and weeds. Add four to five shovelfuls of organic matter like peat moss or manure to amend sandy soils.

Citrus trees will not tolerate sitting in wet soil so avoid planting in boggy areas unless you raise the soil level by building a planting bed.

Citrus can be planted any time of the year but late winter to early spring is the best time. Make sure the tree you select is healthy with a nice straight trunk. If it is diseased or insect infested, or if the roots are coming out of the drain holes indicating a potbound tree, leave these at the nursery. When ready to plant remove the tree from the grower’s pot and check for roots which are spiraling around the root ball. Gently pull these roots free so they protrude from the ball. If the tap root is coiled at the bottom soak the root ball for several hours in water to allow for some straightening of the tap root and any other badly coiled roots before planting.

The planting hole should be large enough that you can spread the roots out if necessary. Set the plant slightly higher than it grew in the container making sure the bud union (or grafting line) is at least six inches above the soil line. This area of the tree is very vulnerable to infection of foot rot, a soil fungi which are splashed onto the susceptible area.

Backfill half the hole and compress the soil to remove air pockets. Water to help settle the soil around the roots and finish filling the hole. Form a water basin around the tree by making a ring of soil four to six inches high to allow for adequate watering while the tree is young. Do not mound the soil around the base of the tree! Leave the water basin for six months to a year.

Water your new tree two to three times a week for the first month and then twice a week for the next month. Taper off to a thorough watering once a week if there has not been adequate rainfall.

The only pruning necessary on a citrus tree is to remove sprouts or suckers from the trunk or to remove dead wood or crossing branches which could cause damage to the other branches. Also low hanging branches to allow air flow under the tree.

Do not fertilize your new tree until it shows signs of new growth. Spread the fertilizer evenly in your water basin the first year and then enlarge the area after that to cover an area twice the diameter of the tree canopy and water in thoroughly. Use a balanced citrus special fertilizer with the necessary minor elements four to five times a year the first year. The first application should be in February and the last in September. The second year fertilize four times and three times thereafter in January, June and October.

Keep the area beneath the canopy free of weeds to the drip line. The herbicide Round-up is safe for use under citrus. If you chose to cultivate your weeds keep it shallow as the citrus tree has shallow and widespread feeder roots. Mulching citrus is not recommended as it can increase the chance of infection by the soil borne fungi which cause foot rot.

I will talk more next week on diseases and insect problems with citrus.

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Eileen Ward and her husband, Peter, own and operate Greensward of Marco Inc., a lawn maintenance and landscaping company. Besides completing horticultural courses from the University of Florida, she has a commercial maintenance spray license and is a registered dealer in agricultural products in Florida. To reach Ward, call 394-1413.