Pruning citrus trees should only be done when needed, unlike other types of fruit trees. Citrus trees bloom and create fruit on new growth, so if you trim the trees each year and they don’t need it, your harvest will be very small.

In large orchards, citrus trees are grown as huge shrubs, with their branches being low to the ground. For the home grower living in a sunny area, that is also a good idea as it will produce a large harvest. But, if you live in a humid area, remove the lower branches to fight disease and fungus.

When pruning citrus trees, you do not need any large or special equipment. If you have unwanted new growth, simply snap them off with your fingers. For small stems and large wood, you can use hand pruners or even a pruning saw.

When pruning indoor citrus trees, you should prune when they have finished with their blossoms, and before they produce fruit. You can prune by hand, being sure to trim just a little bit at a time.