Frequently asked questions
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Resistance levels in citrus depend on the species and variety.
The table on the Hardy Citrus page shows the observed resistances for mature trees.
During the first few years of growth, the trees are not yet fully established. They will only reach the indicated level of hardiness after growing three to four years.
It is therefore important to be prepared to protect young trees during this period to avoid any accidents.
Non-woven fabric (NWF) is commercially available in rolls up to 10m wide. It is commonly used by horticulturists in the spring as a forcing veil for vegetables. It is a synthetic fabric, for which there is no natural alternative yet.
It allows light, rain and air to filter through while providing thermal gain.
A NWF veil placed in a bell shape above the tree on three or four sticks will allow to gain two to three degrees. The veil should not squeeze the foliage so as not to burn it.
A square of 5 x 5m allows to create the bell shape on sticks of 1,5 to 1,8m height.
The ends must be well secured to the ground with stones in case of wind.
A weight of 17gr to 19gr per m² will generally be sufficient. If a very intense and prolonged cold is forecast, two overlapping veils can be applied.
Combined with non-woven fabric (NWF), plant mulch will generate heat. This will allow a gain of a few degrees close to the tree. See the Watering chapter for full details on mulching methods.
If a severe cold snap is predicted, mulch or reinforce the existing mulch before installing the NWF veil.
The protective veil will be installed on trees less than three years old around mid-December and removed at the end of February.
For adult trees, it will be installed only in case of a cold weather alert and removed as soon as the night temperatures become positive again.
Citrus trees have flexible branches and can withstand a few inches of snow without damage. Beyond that, it is advisable to shake the branches to lighten them and prevent them from breaking.
If you have laid a bell-shaped NWF veil, the snow will slide over it and accumulate all around.
If the branches are covered with ice, it will have a protective effect, maintaining a temperature around -2 C on the branches.
Young shoots can suffer and burn in heavy frosts.
The last fall growth, from October to November depending on the weather, will be particularly vulnerable. The shoots will bend and then mend and turn brown and then black.
This is of no consequence for the tree because the resistance is given by the wood of the trunk and the main branches.
However, any damaged tips should be pruned off in late winter, in the second half of March. In April and May the pruned secondary branches will regenerate quickly. Growth will even be accelerated, provided the tree is well fed in early spring.
