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Protecting Citrus From Freeze

Posted on 1/10/16 at 12:43 am
Posted by TigerTatorTots
The Safeshore
Member since Jul 2009
80755 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 12:43 am
Since it is dropping into the 20s on the Northshore tomorrow night, I need to do something to protect my citrus trees (2 satsuma, 2 meyer lemon, 2 naval orange). They are all 3 yr old trees, still under 4' tall. What should I do? Does a simple sheet over the entire tree work?
Posted by Boston911
Lafayette
Member since Dec 2013
1931 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 1:51 am to
Put a water sprinkler on them, that will protect them down to 22 for about 12 hrs.
Posted by fishfighter
RIP
Member since Apr 2008
40026 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 3:39 am to
Water is your friend. By freezing them with water, that helps insulate them.
Posted by CajunAlum Tiger Fan
The Great State of Louisiana
Member since Jan 2008
7871 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 7:42 am to
It's the trunk that's most important, losing the ends of a few branches isn't a big deal. A non-LED work light or a string of old Christmas lights around the trunk should be fine if they are close enough to an outlet for an extension cord. It's what we've used for 40+ years.
Posted by Theboot32
Member since Jan 2016
2435 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 8:20 am to
quote:

CajunAlum Tiger Fan


never thought about that, put a sheet over it too or just the lights?
Posted by ClarkGriswold
Member since Oct 2005
587 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 8:22 am to
(no message)
This post was edited on 2/15/21 at 8:26 pm
Posted by CajunAlum Tiger Fan
The Great State of Louisiana
Member since Jan 2008
7871 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 8:54 am to
My family has had citrus as long as I've been alive (I also have satsuma, Louisiana sweet, navel, and Meyer lemon in Broussard) and we haven't covered them. You might lose the ends of all the branches, but it doesn't hurt the tree permanently. I saved all of mine a few years ago when it was below 20 for a couple of days in a row with old school big bulb outdoor Christmas lights wrapped tightly on the first couple feet of trunk without any cover (mine are too big to cover) . The lemon took the most damage, losing half of its branches, but 2 seasons later it was back to normal.

If the trunk freezes, it will split and that's what kills it.

Other methods include filling a garbage bag with water and wrapping the trunk or even piling up mulch, wrapped in a sheet for a mild, short freeze.

You should be fine.
Posted by TigerTatorTots
The Safeshore
Member since Jul 2009
80755 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 9:20 am to
Unfortunately, I don't have Christmas lights to wrap the trunk nor enough outlets to do 6 of them. Looks like I'll give them a good soaking and cover with a sheet
Posted by CajunAlum Tiger Fan
The Great State of Louisiana
Member since Jan 2008
7871 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 9:32 am to
I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm not doing anything to mine this week. I don't think is getting that cold.

Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
32504 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 11:50 am to
Smudge pots used to work just fine, but hey are illegal now.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
55970 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 12:53 pm to
I would personally throw a sheet or tarp over it and leave a light on at the base...
Posted by Jeff Goldblum
Gardner, LA
Member since Nov 2004
1038 posts
Posted on 1/10/16 at 4:33 pm to
We raise citrus here in North Louisiana. Cover the plants with pine straw during the day. You can leave it until the weather gets milder. Protecting the trunk is the key, especially for young trees. Some new varieties like Orange Frost can handle 15 degrees with no protection.
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