Citrus trees are small to medium-sized, frost tender, sub-tropical trees whose fragrant spring and summer flowers are followed by a range of different tangy fruits including oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. Naturally developing a well-branched crown of angled growth, the shoots of many carry sharp spines to surprise the unwary at harvest time. The oval leaves of these trees are mid to dark green in color, and strongly aromatic when crushed.
Citrus trees are pollinated by bees, and are self-fertile, so do not need a different variety nearby to ensure a good crop. Fruits mature six to eight months after flowering and remain in good condition, on the tree, for several weeks. A mature citrus fruit tree, growing outside, should produce about a hundred fruits per season – so we rarely need more than one tree of each type.
