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Citrus trees are not doing well after the Valley's hot summer. Here's how to help them

In total, Phoenix totaled 54 days of 110-degree temperatures or higher in 2023, and citrus trees were among the vegetation that struggled.

PHOENIX — Diane Mark has a backyard that's prime for gardening, with a pond complete with a waterfall and three citrus trees planted among green grass. 

"It's kind of sad when you're a gardener like me, you want everything to grow," Mark said. 

Her three citrus trees took a beating in the summer heat. None of the trees are producing like normal and Mark said the oldest orange tree in her backyard lost half of its limbs this year. 

In total, Phoenix totaled 54 days of 110-degree temperatures or higher in 2023, and citrus trees were among the vegetation that struggled. 

John Babiarz, one of the owners of Greenfield Citrus Nursery said he's already gotten calls of trees that weren't faring well from the heat. 

But Babiarz, who's grown citrus for 42 years, said some things can be done to help the trees that struggled in the summer thrive during citrus season.

"Most trees and plants, their roots will die at about 113 degrees Fahrenheit, do we get over 113 here? Certainly - ambient temperature well over 113. But six inches underground, it's still cool. So the roots survive," Babiarz said.

It's all about the water 

In the summer, a large citrus tree needs about 200 gallons of water, according to Babiarz. But, he says now is the time water can start to be turned down.

"Water is essential, at least once a week during the summer, once a month in the winter for irrigation," Babiarz said. 

To help gauge how much water a specific tree needs, Babiarz recommends using a water chart put together by the University of Arizona. It intersects how wide a canopy spread the tree has and what month it is to dictate how much water to provide the tree. That resource can be found here

Don't trim that seemingly dead branch back quite yet

If branches on a citrus tree appear to be dead, Babiarz said to wait until December to trim the branch back. 

"You'd be surprised, sometimes you'll get new shoots come off those you don't realize it hasn't died back that far -  only halfway - then you can clip off the dead and let it grow out," Babiarz said. 

Citrus trees are actually shrubs so the branches should grow to the ground. 

But Babiarz warns when trees need trimming don't trim it back too much and trim it at the proper time. 

"When you trim your trees, make sure you do it in really early, early spring or late fall so they don't get a lot of UV burn - ultraviolet burn," Babiarz said. 

Lost a tree? Fall is a good time to plant


Many typically think the spring is the best time to plant, but Babiarz says Arizona's climate allows for great planting weather in the fall. The cooler nights allow for roots to grow well underground, and that root system is essential for tree health, Babiarz said. 

"What you buy when you buy a tree - the most important thing is not the tree but the root system," Babiarz said. 

Don't forget to fertilize 

Citrus trees need to be fertilized in March, June and September. Placement of the fertilizer is key though, Babiarz said. 

"Most people have a small well, and they're feeding inside the well. And yet the roots are past that already," Babiarz said. "So what you want to do when you fertilize - you go a foot past your drip line." 

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