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Drive
home slowly, especially if the tree is not covered. When transporting, handle the tree
with the burlap, being careful not to pull on trunk of tree. Dig the hole
2" deeper than the width and at least 6-10" wider than the diameter. Using the
burlap corners on the bottom of the ball, carefully place the tree into the hole and
position (the top of the root ball should be at grade level). Remove tar paper and string
only, the burlap must remain on the bottom. Slowly add
water from the bottom of the hole as you refill it with soil. (If planting in sandy soil,
or decomposed granite, you may want to include some clean top soil with mulch in the
existing backfill; 1 part mulch to 3 parts soil.) Using displaced
soil, make a well around the tree (just outside the drip line). Growing flowers,
vegetables, or other plants inside the well is not recommended. Keep GRASS, ROCKS,
GRANITE, etc. out of the well area, with the exception of a 1/2 inch layer of mulch during
summer (April thru October). DO NOT FERTILIZE
NEWLY INSTALLED TREES! Upon planting, Agriform tablets (compressed, slow release
fertilizer) are acceptable. Add tablets in the last 4" of backfill. After the first
year, fertilize in March, June, and September using a blended citrus food such as 16-8-4
or 16-8-2. Tree trunks come
wrapped in either burlap or cardboard to protect them from sunburn. DO NOT REMOVE!
Eventually lower branches will grow down low enough to provide adequate protection; until
that time keep wrap intact. You can paint the trunks of larger trees with white latex
paint up to 4 feet. However, trimming up lower branches is NOT recommended, because your
best fruit production occurs on the lower half of the tree. WATERING:
(MONITOR TO MEET WEATHER CONDITIONS) - Refill the well every three days for the first two weeks after planting. If using drip irrigation place 3-4 emitters (2-4 gal/hr) over the root ball.
- After that, we recommend filling the tree well twice in one day (AM and PM) every 7-13 days in the summer.
- Every 3-4 weeks in the winter. Before changing irrigation schedules, using a probe, check soil moisture content 8" out from the trunk and 8" down into the root ball. If wet, skip 1 week.
Excessive watering causes: (1) moisture to collect between the trunk and the tree wrap resulting in disease, (2) root suffocation/root rot, and (3)impedance to nutrient uptake. These problems can ultimately kill the tree.
Expect some
wilting, and as much as 1/3 leaf drop within the first two weeks, following installation. Normally, citrus do
not require pesticide applications. However, if insects become a problem, spray as needed
in April and September or as new growth appears. Use Cygon, Diazinon, or Malathion spray.
Citrus thrips (insects) are difficult to control and may cause the new foliage to become
malformed. Their presence is only cosmetic and has no major effect on the growth of the
tree. DO NOT SPRAY WHEN BLOSSOMS ARE PRESENT! If frost threatens,
you can cover small trees with a bed sheet, blanket, or burlap. You can also pour a bucket
of hot water into the tree well. Keep dogs,
rabbits, and hoofed animals away from tree area. Plastic tree (trunk) protectors are
available at local nursery stores. Prune trees as
needed, remembering that citrus are shrubs - not trees. While light pruning can be doneyear-round, major pruning should be done during early spring or fall.
NOTE: All trees need 1-2 years to recover from transplanting. Please monitor watering and feeding schedules to meet seasonal conditions.
