Shaping

• According to Texas A&M University, commercially sold citrus trees are already shaped in the nursery where they are grown. These trees do not require further pruning to develop their shapes. After a tree is planted, it may develop sprouts from the trunk of the tree. These trunk sprouts should be completely removed from the tree to ensure that the canopy receives all the nutrients it needs to develop. Trunk sprouts can divert nutrients, water, and energy from the canopy. Trunk sprouts may be removed as they develop at any time of the year.
  
  

Hedging

• In large orchards, citrus tree size is controlled by hedging and topping when the citrus trees reach their maximum size. Large cutting machines are pulled between rows of trees to shear the top and sides of the trees to a uniform shape. This creates increased air circulation between trees and reduces the ability of pests to invade the trees. It also aides in harvesting, and allows the maximum amount of light to reach the trees for maximum fruit development. Hedging is done in cooler months of the year after the last harvest and prior to the bloom of the next season. Typically April is a good time to hedge and top lemon trees.
  
  

Rehabilitative Pruning

• Citrus trees are very sensitive to cold weather. A tree planted in an orchard or backyard may have limbs killed in a sudden frost. After this occurs, a lemon tree owner should remove dead wood to develop a new canopy. Frozen branches should not be removed immediately after the cold spell. Instead, the pruning should be delayed while the tree produces new leaves. This will reveal the extent of the frost damage. Once the damaged parts of the tree are clearly revealed, the tree may be pruned.
  
  

Rejuvenation Pruning

• As lemon trees age, they produce fewer and fewer fruits. Lemon trees may be pruned to rejuvenate the tree's canopy to produce more fruit. By cutting back the limbs of the lemon tree, the tree is prompted to produce a new flush of growth, new blossoms, and new fruits. Pruning for rejuvenation should be done a short time before the tree normally produces new growth in spring.
  
  

Indoor Pruning

• Citrus trees grown indoors in containers may need pruning to control weak growth, remove a long branch, or to keep the growth compact. Weak, leggy growth occurs in response to low lighting conditions. The tree typically may be pruned any time of the year between a harvest of fruit and the next flush of blossoms.