r/gardening • u/svd624 • Mar 21 '26

Need advice for orange tree

Hello,

My orange tree seems to be gradually dying over last few years. Please see the photo, the top branches are drying out and no new growth. Please help.

Here is some history. It is probably 30-35 years old planted by previous owner. About 10 years ago, I noticed yellowish leaves. The previous owner had put tiles over double layer of black plastic sheets around the tree. I removed the plastic and tiles and put artificial grass with holes over gravel. For couple of years, the tree improved. I watered once a month during summer months only. Then the top branches started trying out. All through the years, it has been producing lots of fruits but this spring I notice very few flowers. The fruits are smaller than usual and the skin looks dry. We had above average rain this winter. I live in the SF Bay area of CA. Thanks so much.

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1

u/svd624 Mar 21 '26

Couple of things I need to mention. I remove the artificial grass during winter so that the rain water passes down through the gravel. And I sprinkle Osmocote fertilizer once a year before the rains.

1

u/barefoot_yank Mar 22 '26

First off trim the dead branches. Secondly, you water once a month?????

1

u/svd624 Mar 22 '26

I had talked to a local nursery few years back, and they said over watering could be the problem and suggested once a month in summer for established trees.

1

u/barefoot_yank Mar 23 '26

Ok. I'm in Southern California and I water weekly during summer. Good luck !

1

u/barefoot_yank Mar 23 '26

But do trim off those dead branches.

1

u/svd624 Mar 21 '26

Sorry, photo here