Another positive is that this cold weather will likely kill Asian Citrus Psyllids that may be trying to establish in Georgia. There are at least 30 citrus varieties planted in Lowndes County. The silver lining to this 5-night cold snap is that we will learn which varieties are the most cold- hardy. They were the youngest trees planted in 2020. We freeze protected out Tango trees and they have retained 20-40% of their foliage and will no doubt have wood damage on younger branches. I expect some wood damage on these trees. These trees received no cold protection at all, but all the trees were 10-13 feet tall. All the foliage was damaged or shed on the Glen navel trees and the Sugar Belles. Everything else is somewhere in between.Īt our citrus research site, Owari satsumas dropped about 50% of their foliage. Lemons, grapefruit, and limes appeared to have the most damage. This is expected, as they are known for cold-hardiness and that is why many have been planted in Georgia. Trees can be banked with soil to where it covers the graft union but this is a good bit of work to pile up the soil around the trunk.įrom my observations at this point, it appears the satsumas have handled the freeze the best. Also, trees with heavy fruit loads are more likely to suffer from cold damage. If that is not possible, wrap the trunk with a blanket and put a blanket over the tree. For homeowner trees, the best way to protect your trees is with frost cloth that covers the tree and reaches the ground with a heat lamp underneath. With trees already damaged and with much less foliage, they will be more susceptible to freezes. Our winter has just begun so it is possible there will be more damaging freezes. Frozen fruit is only good to use as juice but should be juiced within a couple of days after freezing. Wait until then to prune dead limbs by pruning into the green wood just below the dead wood.Īny fruit left on trees was frozen and is no longer good. By May or June, limb damage will be obvious. We do not yet know the extent of damage to limbs, branches, and the trunks of trees. It is common to see younger late season growth die back from freezes while older growth on the same tree appears ok.ĭo not do anything to your damaged trees now. Foliage that turns tan and sticks to the tree indicates the limb or tree has damage or has died. Shedding foliage is a good sign because trees and/or limbs that are killed by a freeze do not drop leaves. Most of the foliage that is going to drop has likely dropped by now. Some green foliage that looks ok may also drop. After a few days many trees begin to shed leaves. Obvious early symptoms of damage are leaf curl and tanned foliage. It takes time to know the extent of damage that has occurred to citrus trees. When temperatures are that low for that long there is not much that can be done to protect citrus and damage is to be expected. I am sure other areas in southern Georgia were even colder. I recorded temperatures of 18, 20, 16, 21, & 22 degrees. Lomax Elementary School in Valdosta reached a low of 16 degrees. The site of our citrus research plots at J.L. To some extent, every citrus variety has suffered from cold-damage due to this recent 5-night freeze event. December 24-28 was one of those freeze events that we do not often see in Valdosta.
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