about 6 years ago I was given a "Newhall" orange tree. It rapidly grew into a largish tree and was laden with beautiful juicy fruit. All I did was water and fertilise it, and it was always healthy with dark green foliage. But it has died completely, and it has borer holes through 10 percent of its brances. Could this have killed it, or I'm wondering if I overfertilised it? ( A few handfuls of citrus fer three times a year). We are in sand country but can grow anything with compost, mulch and water. My query is, is there any spray I can apply to prevent this borer? And what time year is best to buy and plant Orange trees? It was planted close to a very healthy young lemon tree. would love another one but not sure if its worth thee risk. Cheers
I wish the borer would kill my neighbours tree, a seedling grown one that is now after many years, taller than the roof of my house and planted right next to the fence, 1.5 m away from my house. Very seldom produces flowers or oranges, but has a healthy population of whitefly that invade my plants!
harm_less,
Jan 23, 10:48pm
It is likely that the 10% you are aware of doesn't include the internal damage that has seen a borer or two internally ringbark major limbs, which will have resulted in the death of the tree.
A probable contributing factor is when did you prune the tree? Borer are in flight from spring through summer and home in on the scent from citrus so will rapidly lay eggs on fresh pruning wounds.
It is best to prune in autumn in order to minimise the risk of this happening.
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