[dustbust]

Hello hello,
I have a Lemon tree I have been growing for about 2 years. Surprisingly it has about a 1/2 inch trunk. Dont get me wrong I plan on letting it grow crazy for another 2 to 3 years. I would like at least a 1 inch trunk before I chop.

My question is how low can I chop this baby and do I need a low branch left on to be safe? When should I do this? (the plant is indoors all year on a window sill at my office)(I plan on taking cuttings so I can get them outside in the summer to see some real growth. and Just in case my trunk chop goes south)

Here is my plan. I plan to cut down to the sacrifice branch (its about 7 inches up the trunk) wait to see new bud break, pick a new leader and chop to that branch. I want a tree about 18 inches so I would need a new leader to be about 6 inches up. (now thinking about it I may want a thicker trunk) also the branch is facing the wrong way.

Do I sound like a man with a plan or a man set to fail?

Thanks

Oh here is a pic...kind of I used my webcam. Left to right. Key lime, ficus, ficus, Lemon

Attached thumbnail(s)

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[Treefan]

First, wait til spring just before buds open. Second, better to not go below the last branch just in case. Third - get it into a lower but wider pot to encourage lateral root growth. Fourth - do something with the trunk - wire it or bend with one of those jack devices.

[Redwing]

If it's grafted, make sure you leave a branch above the graft.

-rw

[daveskib]

I've had good luck doing a trunk chop on a Lemon grown from seed in late spring with lots of back budding. I've done this with a grapefruit grown from seed as well. I did however keep the trees outside after the last frost and kept them out all summer and early fall in the most direct full sun.(Delaware)

DaveskiB