Thinking about growing a citrus tree but not sure if youve got the green thumb for it? There are indeed a few different factors that go into growing and maintaining a healthy citrus tree, but if there was ever a place to try it, its here in Arizona. Citrus trees are part of our history for a reason. Arizonas warm and dry climate makes for the absolute perfect conditions for growing citrus fruits.
But, in order to help your citrus tree truly thrive, care requirements like fertilizing, pruning and watering vary with the season. Check out this guide on the life of a citrus tree, and youll be well on your way to enjoying delicious fruit and a beautiful tree for years to come!
Orange trees are prized for their sweet juicy fruit and beautiful flowers. But if you’re considering planting one you may be wondering – how long do orange trees live? What factors affect their lifespan?
The typical lifespan of a healthy orange tree is 50-80 years. Some very well cared for trees have even survived over 100 years!
But there are a lot of variables that determine exactly how long your orange tree will thrive. In this article, we’ll explore what impacts an orange tree’s longevity and how you can help your tree live a long, productive life.
Typical Lifespan Range
On average, a properly cared for orange tree growing in a suitable climate will live for 50-80 years. Dwarf varieties tend to have shorter lifespans, around 30-50 years.
Here are some key factors that influence orange tree lifespan:
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Variety – Some types naturally live longer than others. Standard trees outlive dwarfs.
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Growing conditions – Climate, soil type, sunlight exposure.
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Care – Watering, fertilizing, pruning, pest control.
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Age – Old trees gradually lose vigor and yield.
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Environmental stresses – Extreme cold, drought, diseases.
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Transplanting – Causes major root damage.
With optimal care and conditions, it’s possible for orange trees to remain productive for 80 years or more. But many factors can potentially shorten their lifespan.
What Impacts Orange Tree Longevity?
Multiple elements influence an orange tree’s growth rate, health, and lifespan potential:
Climate
Orange trees thrive in humid subtropical climates with warm weather year-round. They can survive brief frosts and cold snaps down to 30°F (-1°C), but extended freezing temperatures below 25°F (-4°C) may damage or kill the tree.
Hot, dry winds and dramatic temperature swings also stress trees. Ideal conditions promote longevity.
Sunlight
Orange trees need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal fruit production. Insufficient sunlight leads to reduced yields and vigor.
Soil
Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Orange trees prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Loose, sandy soils drain well. Heavy clay causes problems.
Watering
Too much or too little water stresses trees. Drought and overwatering decrease lifespan. Careful irrigation is key.
Fertilizing
Regular feeding with a citrus fertilizer provides essential nutrients. Deficiencies cause decline. But over-fertilizing damages roots.
Pests & Diseases
Citrus pests like psyllids, mites, and beetles can weaken and damage trees. Serious diseases include citrus greening, canker, and root rot. Prompt treatment is essential.
Pruning
Selective branch removal improves structure and health. But improper pruning stresses the tree. Annual pruning promotes longevity.
Age & Maturity
As orange trees near 50-80 years old, yields decrease and vigor declines. Production life rarely exceeds 100 years without rejuvenation.
Weather Extremes
Severe freezes, hail storms, hurricanes, and floods can quickly damage or kill orange trees. Tolerance for stresses decreases with age.
Transplanting
Orange trees do not adapt well to being transplanted. It causes major root damage that shortens life. Least risky when young.
With proper care, ideal conditions, and disease prevention, orange trees can live a very long and productive life. But environmental stresses and pests can jeopardize longevity.
Do Orange Trees Lose Vigor as They Age?
Orange trees enter maturity around 10 years old, reaching their peak production span from 15-30 years of age. After the 30 year mark, aging changes gradually occur:
- Growth rate slows down
- Fruit yields decrease
- More pruning is required
- Risk of disease and cold damage increases
- Dieback of inner branches
As trees near 50-80 years old, their vigor and fruit output continues to drop. Very old specimens stop producing entirely. But careful maintenance can sustain health and minimize declines.
Maximizing Orange Tree Longevity
Here are some key strategies to help your orange tree live to its full lifespan potential:
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Select the best growing site – Warm climate, well-draining soil, adequate sunlight.
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Water carefully – Prevent under and overwatering.
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Fertilize regularly – With a citrus-specific program.
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Monitor for pests – Treat diseases, insects early.
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Prune annually – Improves structure and health.
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Protect from weather extremes – Especially freezing winter temps.
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Avoid transplanting – Causes major root damage.
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Rejuvenate old trees – Stimulate new growth through pruning and care.
Taking a proactive approach allows your orange tree to live out its full lifespan in good health. But declining vigor and productivity after 50-80 years is normal.
Growing Orange Trees in Containers
Can orange trees grow well and produce fruit in containers? With the right conditions, orange trees can thrive in containers:
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Choose a dwarf variety, under 8 ft tall.
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Provide a container at least 20 inches wide and deep.
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Use a potting mix formulated for citrus.
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Ensure the container has drainage holes.
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Place in full sun, moving to shelter in winter.
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Water regularly, allowing soil to partially dry out between waterings.
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Fertilize frequently with a balanced citrus fertilizer.
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Prune to contain size and promote flowering and fruiting.
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Bring indoors or protect container plants when temperature falls below 30°F (-1°C).
With excellent care, dwarf orange trees in containers can remain productive for 15 years or longer. But their lifespan is shorter than equivalent in-ground trees.
Signs of an Aging, Declining Orange Tree
Here are some signs that an aging orange tree is in decline and nearing the end of its lifespan:
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Yield decreases substantially
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Remaining fruit is smaller and/or low quality
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Leaves turn yellow or brown and drop
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Branches die back
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Tree becomes more prone to diseases
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Growth of new shoots slows down
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Tree exhibits reduced vigor and vitality
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Bark appears brittle and dried
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Tree struggles to recover from stresses
While such changes are normal in elderly trees, decline can also result from poor care. Consulting an arborist helps determine if rejuvenation is possible.
Caring for Orange Trees During Winter
Providing extra care during winter is key to supporting orange tree health and longevity:
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Apply horticultural oils to control overwintering insect pests
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Wrap trunks of young trees to prevent cold damage
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Water deeply before winter to hydrate roots
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Apply insulating materials if hard freezes are expected
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Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizing to minimize cold injury
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Monitor for freeze damage after extreme cold snaps
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Prune selectively to improve structure and vigor
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Delay major pruning until after winter passes
Protecting orange trees from winter stresses helps maintain their seasonal cycles. This promotes sustained longevity, productivity, and fruit quality.
With proper variety selection for your climate, excellent care, and ideal growing conditions, orange trees can remain healthy and productive for 50-80 years or more. But many factors influence longevity, including pests, diseases, weather extremes, and transplanting shock. Protect trees from stresses and provide attentive care for maximum lifespan.
Spring Citrus Tree Care
Your citrus tree has varying needs throughout the year. Spring is the optimal time to prune if needed. While some fruit trees thrive when pruned, it can actually be a bit of a source of stress for citrus trees. With that said, you do want to remove dead or diseased branches, and spring is the best time to do it. If they are trimmed between early March to about early May, you reduce the risk of damage from extreme temperatures.
Spring is also one of a few times throughout the year when you should pay particular attention to the task of fertilizing your citrus tree. While one generous application of fertilizer is needed in winter, during spring it’s a good idea to follow up with a lighter feeding in May. Be sure to use a fertilizer specifically formulated for citrus trees with high nitrogen (the first number in the NPK ratio). Additional soil amendments like humates, gypsum, or soil sulfur are especially beneficial for citrus trees—after all, they’re very heavy feeders! These amendments help to improve soil drainage and will make your fertilizer work even better, so your growing trees can soak up all that good stuff.
Citrus trees do best when heavily watered but infrequently. In the spring, you will want to water about once every 10 days. When you do water, it is best to do so slowly and deeply. This will help water reach a depth of about two feet into the soil around the tree.
Natural fruit drop generally occurs in the spring, so don’t be too alarmed if you see your citrus shedding some excess fruit around this time of year. With that said, this is also when common pests like aphids and thrips are at their peak. While not a huge threat to mature trees, aphids multiply quickly and can weaken a young tree. If you spot these pesky insects on your citrus tree, try spraying it down with water every day or two for about a week. You can also use organic insecticide formulas that are safe for use on edibles, or you can try biological pest control and release some hungry ladybugs.
Autumn Citrus Tree Care
Come the fall time, your citrus tree will hopefully have a bounty of fruit that is just getting ready to ripen. You will want to make your third fertilizer application by early September (around Labor Day) if you haven’t already. This will help your tree grow bigger fruit and may help new growth that should come once the weather cools a little more. Supplement your fall fertilizer application with a product like our Grow More Citrus Grower Blend, which contains essential micronutrients like iron, manganese, zinc, and copper.
A citrus tree’s watering needs in the fall are similar to those in the spring, so you can decrease your watering schedule back to about 10 days apart, continuing to ensure that you are watering deeply and evenly.
The fruit on your citrus trees will likely start showing some color as it is exposed to cooler overnight temperatures in September and October. If it has been damaged at all by extreme temperatures or the tree has not been watered enough, you might see some fruit split. Keep in mind, some citrus trees like Valencia and blood oranges ripen a little later in the season than others. Let them ripen on the tree—they won’t continue to ripen or get sweeter after picking!
While many folks insist that February and March are the best time to plant new citrus trees, you can also plant them in September when the temperatures have cooled down a bit. Just make sure to protect your young tree from cold temperatures over the winter by using tree wraps when necessary.
Life Cycle of an Orange tree
FAQ
Do orange trees get too old to produce fruit?
Of course it depends on the climate, and the soil conditions, and the weather, but you could get 10 to 20 or 30 or more years out of an orange tree. But I think as it gets much older it’s amount of harvest will decrease with time.
How do you tell how old an orange tree is?
To calculate the tree’s age you have to multiply the diameter by the growth factor. Diameter X Growth Factor = Approximate Tree Age. 43.63 diameter X 4.7 growth factor = approx 205 years old.
What is the average lifespan of an orange?
At home, oranges have a shelf life of about one month, and are best stored loose.
How long do orange trees live?
Most orange trees will live for 50-80 years if they are properly cared for and do not succumb to diseases or other issues. Many orange growers will replace their trees after 20-30 years to maintain optimal fruit production. Over time, older trees tend to produce less fruit, which may not be as flavorful as fruit from younger trees.
How many oranges can a tree produce a year?
The average healthy and mature orange tree produces 200-350 oranges. However, experienced orange farmers after years of practice can harvest between 400 to 600 oranges per tree. Which tree gives fruit after 100 years? The tree is known to live for about a 100 years.
What factors affect an orange tree’s growth & lifespan?
Multiple elements influence an orange tree’s growth and lifespan potential Climate: Orange trees thrive best in warm, humid environments without extreme cold or heat fluctuations. Temperatures consistently below freezing in winter can damage or kill a tree. Soil: Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Are orange trees evergreen?
Orange trees are evergreen but, unlike many limes and lemons, do not produce fruit continually throughout the year. Each tree produces one crop of fruit per year, with the fruiting cycle taking up to 10 months for some varieties. How often do you water an orange tree?
When do orange trees produce fruit?
Orange trees typically begin to produce fruit when they are 3-6 years old. However, the age at which a tree starts to bear fruit can vary depending on the variety, care, and growing conditions. The key factors that affect fruit production include sunlight, watering, fertilization, and pruning.
How long does a tree last?
Vegetative and root growth slows down, and the development of thorns is reduced. The tree remains in the mature adult phase until the end of its natural life span. Mature trees often produce fruit for more than 50 years, and the total life span of the tree may exceed 100 years.