Citrus tree gardening tips for National Gardening Month

With April’s designation as National Gardening Month and while staying at home, now’s the perfect time to get fresh air and give your yard some TLC – especially if you have a citrus tree. 

Citrus trees can carry diseases like Huanglongbing (HLB), which can be spread by a pest called the Asian citrus psyllid. While HLB is not harmful to humans, once a citrus tree is infected, it will die. Symptoms of HLB include asymmetrical blotchy and yellowing leaves, corky veins, premature and excessive fruit drop, lopsided and rancid-tasting fruit. Call the State’s pest hotline at 800-491-1899 if you see disease symptoms on your tree. 

The best way to stop HLB is to apply products to treat your tree for the Asian citrus psyllid.  The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources has a helpful list of recommendations. 

Learn more about citrus tree care tips at CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org.