Citrus trees include orange (Citrus sinensis), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), lemon (Citrus limon), lime (Citrus aurantifolia) mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and kumquat (Fortunella spp). They require full sun to grow and bear fruit properly, and do best in a southern exposure. Citrus trees grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and 10. The spacing for the trees depends on how much space is available, the type of citrus and whether the tree is a dwarf or standard variety.
Choose an orchard location that gets at least eight hours of sun per day, and the sun is not blocked by buildings or other trees. Keep taller-growing trees at least 20 feet from power lines. All trees should be at least 15 feet from buildings or paved areas to prevent root damage.
Space individual standard citrus trees 15 feet apart in rows with 25 to 30 feet between each row. The smaller kumquat trees need 10 feet between trees and 15 feet between rows. Dwarf citrus trees need half as much space as standard trees.
Maximize usable space on smaller plots of land by planting two to four trees in one planting hole. Leave 18 to 24 inches of space between each tree in the hole.
Give two-in-one, three-in-one and four-in-one planting holes a 10-foot radius around each grouping.
Cut all the trees in a single planting hole back to the same height at the time of planting. Prune the trees as needed to keep any one tree from growing larger than the others.
- Check with local utilities before you dig to avoid serious injury and expensive repairs.
- National Gardening Association: Planning a Small Home Orchard
- Dave Wilson Nursery: What Is Backyard Orchard Culture?
- Trees of Antiquity: Ideas for Limited Space
- University of California Cooperative Extension: Orchard
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Citrus for Southern and Coastal Alabama
- Arid Gardener: Citrus Tree Spacing
- LSU AgCenter Research & Extension: The Louisiana Home Orchard
- West Virginia University Extension Service: Home Orchard Management
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