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Pruning guide · Fruit plant
Mandarin: when and how to prune
Citrus reticulata
Mandarin is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | April–June |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Mandarin: when to prune it?
In March, before new growth starts, while the plant is still indoors. After that, only light trimming.
What else to prune in those months? March
Mandarin: how to prune it?
- Remove dead, weak and inward-growing shoots.
- Shorten shoots that are too long to just above a leaf, for a compact, rounded crown.
- Remove shoots growing from the rootstock below the graft union; they often have different leaves and larger thorns.
- Do not prune too hard: you will get lots of leaves and few flowers.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: 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 gloves when handling thorny plants.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.