How to Take Care of a Lemon Tree

Overview

In warm climates, lemon trees can make a great addition to your yard with their beautiful spring blossoms, easy-to-manage size and abundant fruit. The lemon tree is thought to have originated in India and has been cultivated in the United States for several hundred years. Lemon trees can reach 20 to 30 feet in height and are easy to grow, even in poor quality soil.

Step 1

Apply mycorrhizal fungi once a year. This fungi helps prevent root rot. It is present in the root system of trees in the wild, but is usually not found in trees planted in suburban soils.

Step 2

Water your lemon tree often. The soil around the tree should not be flooded, but should stay moist. A good rule of thumb is to water the tree at least once a week, or any time that the soil begins to dry out.

Step 3

Fertilize the lemon tree in the spring, once new leaf growth begins. Use a high-quality fertilizer specially designed for fruit trees. Lemon trees require micronutrients such as magnesium, copper and zinc. These nutrients are not found in typical lawn fertilizers.

Step 4

Spray your lemon tree with liquid copper fungicide in the early summer months. This fungicide will protect your tree from several infections, such as melanose, greasy spot and citrus canker.

Step 5

Place iron supplement tablets in the soil around your tree if it shows signs of iron deficiency. Lemon trees often become iron deficient and the most common sign of this problem is the color of new leaves. They will appear yellow or light green.

Step 6

Protect your lemon tree from the cold weather. For the first four years, protect the tree by banking soil up to a height of 15 inches around the trunk. The soil provides insulation. You can also use tree wrap. Apply protection in the fall before the first freeze. Tree blankets can be used on older trees that are still fairly small. For large trees, sprinkle the tree with water right before the freeze. The ice that forms will actually protect the tree.