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Pruning guide · Fruit plant
Lime: when and how to prune
Citrus × aurantiifolia
Lime is best pruned in February–March.
| Pruning months | February–March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | March–June |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Lime: when to prune it?
In February–March, before new growth starts. Prune lightly: a lime naturally forms an attractive crown.
Lime: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches.
- Shorten over-long shoots to keep the crown compact and rounded; cut just above a leaf.
- Remove vigorous, upright water shoots growing from the trunk or thick branches.
- Cut off at once any shoots growing from below the graft union: they come from the rootstock.
- Thin a crowded crown so that light and air reach the centre.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February–March.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Wear sturdy gloves: the twigs have sharp thorns.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.