35-year-old lemon tree inexplicably dying - What to do?
Question:In my front yard there is a large lemon tree, about 35 years old. All the trees around it, including the grapefruit trees are doing fine, but the past few years it has stopped growing and has fewer and fewer leaves. We've tried fertilizing. There don't seem to be any bugs. I refuse to part with it! :) We desperately need the shade as it's about 115 degrees out this time of year. What's the best way to restimulate growth?
Answers:
its 35 years old.ITS 35 YEARS OLD
Everything has a life cycle. Fruit trees are like that, once they start to go, they go fast.
it might be time to just remove the tree and replace it. I had to do that with a 20 year old apple tree. You might call out a tree doctor, they do not cost very much.
I kind of agree that it has probably outlived its years, but there is one thing you could check. When something has been in the ground that long, sometimes dirt builds up around the trunk. If the trunk looks like it goes into the ground like a telephone pole instead of having a broad circle of gradually sloping roots around it, it may have gotten buried too deep. You can use a hose or work very gently with your hands to remove the dirt until the root zone is exposed again, then put a thin layer of green sand covered by mulch around it. If it can be saved this should do it. Otherwise, you may have to think about replacing it. If you need quick growth, you can try Shantung or Japanese maple, depending on if they are adapted to your particular climate.
it is entirely possible that the root systems from the surrounding trees are choking off the roots of the lemon tree. You should be happy the lemon tree lasted as long as it did. They are only meant to last about 20 years at the most. Does it still produce fruit? Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do to save it, once the tree starts to die, especially at that age, there is nothing that can be done.
Even trees have a natural lifespan. Lemon trees are normally viable for 20 - 25 years. I suggest planting a replacement as soon as possible, so that you can continue to enjoy the blossoms and fruit :-)
Lemon trees don't live long unfortunately. You may have to bid it farewell and replace it. Sorry
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