A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Fruit Forum Tangerine tree

I have had a tangerine tree for 2 1/2 years, seems to me that we are causing serious damage when picking the fruit.
Every spring I have permanantly dead portions on the tree.

We are, (I believe) otherwise caring for it rather well.
We get a bumper-crop every year, including the fruit that is on the tree right now.

Would like to harvest this year without causing permanant damage.

Can you give some more info on your care for the tree? Watering, fertilizer, container/ground, light? What does the damage look like and where is it located on the tree?

I give it Vigaro, (3 times a year) late winter, late spring & mid-fall. Vigaro contains extra Magnesium, Zinc Manganese & Iron for high yields.
I follow the instructions closely & have had good luck with it.

The tree is in the ground so I usually rely on the sprinlkers in the yard to water the tree, however, I do not have an automatic system.
Sometimes I notice it looks a bit droopy,(in the summer) so I let the hose soak the ground for 30 minutes or so & it usually perks up by morning.

The tree is far from the house in the back yard & gets plent of light year round in southern CA.

The damage is spiratic, usually kills a whole branch. If it would help, I can send a picture.

Pic would be good. Close up of leaves and stems that are dying and healthy ones too would be great. Have you checked for pest? dying branches usually means either pests or a root problem. Don't forget citrus like to dry out between waterings, so if it is getting sprinkled daily the roots may be unhappy

Most grafted citruses bear in their 3rd or 4th year; full production in 7-8 year for standard trees.



Die back [portions on the tree are dead]is an indication of problems with tree trunk or root system. Is the tangerine tree planted too deeply or did the tree settled in the planting hole? If so, remove or pull back the soil away from the trunk [below the graft].



It sounds like the tree is or isn't getting enough water.

Soil that is too wet clogs the soil pores and make it impossible for the oxygen to penetrate the soil down to the roots. Wet soil can harbor fungus and infect the roots [resulting in root rot].

If the soil is dry due to under watering, the water and nutrients can not travel all the way to the top of the tree; stems and branches further from the trunk die.

In warmer months [April to October], try to water the tree once a week; every two weeks in cooler months [November to march]. Before watering, check the top 3-5 inches of the soil to see if it is dry or wet. If dry water at once, if wet, don't water. Remember to allow the soil to dry between watering and when you water, water deeply to about 3 feet below the surface.


Excess salt from fertilizer and water also contribute to die back. Leach the soil about 2x a year, like one in winter and one in summer.

p.s. I don't follow the above watering schedule because all of my citrus trees are in containers. I water more frequently.