re: Satsuma Tree Help Needed

I can’t pinpoint your problem but I’ll give you my thoughts

1. Of lease concern, is curling, yellowing and dropping of the leaves. That’s related to mid 20s temps we had recently. My 3 and 4 year satsumas, Meyer lemon are exhibiting the same and I know the trees are fine. I know you covered the trees but the trees still were exposed to some freeze related stress. This is a normal citrus tree response to cold stress.

2. Of greater concern is the damaged bark on limbs. I suspect that very well may have been related to freeze damage from last Feb’s 18 degree weather. Not much you can do about that - let it go, see what happens and if necessary those limbs might have to be removed and new limbs that grow from the main trunk above the graft union re-trained to replace them.

3. Lastly, and perhaps of greatest concern, and I hope I’m wrong on this, I see some sand or is it dirt underneath the tree. Is this a low area that doesn’t drain well (I do see what appears to the a large drain grate nearby)? When you planted the tree did you elevate the root ball several inches above lawn grade? That is important in poorly draining clay soil. Just a few inches height above grade can make a large difference in health and growth of a fruit tree like citrus. An unhealthily tree is going to be more susceptible to cold damage. Anyway, I hope this isn’t the case - hard to tell from the photos.