What kind of citrus is this?

10 years ago

Hi guys, I just moved into this house and I have this 15-20 Ft tree with a lime or orange like citrus. All leaf grow by three and it has big hard thorns. I cut one up and it looks like a lime but has a little sweet taste. It's also really bitter maybe because they are green still.
Do you guys know what it is? Also, you can see on the pics that leaves are getting yellow on the tip. I bought some citrus fertilizer the other day and I've added a bit. Haven't seen any result yet. I live on los angeles, ca

Please let me know what you think

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
10 years ago
Hard to say exactly, but it looks like a Trifoliate hybrid. It probably was a rootstock that either took over, or grew up after the grafted plant died.

So, it could be a Citrange of some kind?
nachin
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh ok, thanks! Is it edible? Is it sweet as orange?

Let me know

Thanks!
Related Professionals
Marina Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Frisco Landscape Contractors · Wakefield Landscape Contractors · Bedford Heights Landscape Contractors · Cliffside Park Landscape Contractors · Harrisburg Landscape Contractors · New Cassel Landscape Contractors · Northbridge Landscape Contractors · Paramount Landscape Contractors · Rockland Landscape Contractors · Snoqualmie Landscape Contractors · Soddy Daisy Landscape Contractors · St. Louis Landscape Contractors · Palos Hills Landscape Contractors · Selma Landscape Contractors
nachin
Original Author
10 years ago
Oh ok, thanks! Is it edible? Is it sweet as orange?

Let me know

Thanks!
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
10 years ago
Ah, that would be a frightening NO. Trifoliate and trifoliate hybrid fruits are horrifically bitter. Makes great rootstock, but it's not grown ever for it's fruit.

Patty S.
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
10 years ago
I would echo that it's doubtful that it's edible. But heck, try it when it's ripe. maybe overly ripe. LOL!

Who knows, you may actually have an edible, or borderline edible trifoliate hybrid.

We are growing a hardy citrandarin-trifoliate hybrid out here that would make a good juice with some sugar.

If it's a Troyer citrange though (a commonly used rootstock), it will NOT be very good!
nachin
Original Author
10 years ago
hahah ok I'll try!

Thanks for the info guys!
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
10 years ago
Ah, I would not try it. It's not just that it's bitter, trifoliate fruits are completely inedible, and the oils are very difficult to remove. It is indescribably bitter. It's not like biting into a lemon or a lime, which is just sour, you will NOT BE ABLE TO EAT THE FRUIT. Don't do it.

Patty S.
gregbradley
10 years ago
Recently, I went by a Home Dopey to pick up some plastic pots and walked past the citrus just to see if there was something I couldn't live without. One #5 was much taller than normal. I looked closer and saw the tall branches had three leaves, 2 huge branches growing out of the rootstock. Someone is going to have an unpleasant surprise!

If they were small suckers I would have just snapped them off but these were 4'+ long with 1/2" diameter brown barked trunks.
nachin
Original Author
10 years ago
ok thanks guys, Good to know

Should I just remove it and plant something more useful? it's not even good looking haha

Let me know
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
10 years ago
Yes, Nachin. Chop it down, dig it out, and pick a favorite cultivar. Remove all the pavers around the tree to make sure you'll have a nice, large well for watering. Keep the tree away from the house.

Patty S.
poncirusguy6b452xx
10 years ago
Don't cut it down. try top grafting it with multiple varieties of citrus;. You have an excellent root base to grow on.

Steve