Most likely a lemon of some variety, Suzi. Eureka and Lisbon lemons both will sport reddish new growth. So do Italian lemons (Santa Teresa Femminello). Hallmark sign of a lemon tree - pink/reddish new growth. Not so much with the Improved Meyer lemon. Most commonly grown lemon in your area would be the Eureka. If the tree is really REALLY thorny, more likely a Lisbon. If the lemons are really really large, Santa Teresa, but that would be a long shot for you, based on the age of the tree. My bet is on the Eureka.

Patty S.

I bet you are right, Patty! It's probably Eureka.

I can't imagine an Italian lemon being here. I do think I have a Lisbon in another area of the property. Very thorny! I just ran out and looked, and all the new growth is bright green. Maybe the "Lisbon" is a very productive seedling. When we uncovered it from a huge vine causing it to survive in dense shad last summer, it blossomed and produced tiny, seedy lemons. It is now blossoming at the correct time, and the lemons should be larger and ripe later in the year or early next.

I'm glad the red growth is normal!

Thanks!

Suzi

My Ponderosa lemons have the red new growth. Something about the trunk or main stem looks a little different though.