Well, normally we'd say after the tree's fruit has been picked, but if this is a Valencia orange, versus a Navel orange of some variety, that can be problematic, as you would be then transplanting during the hot summer months. Not really recommended. What kind of orange tree is this, Valencia or Navel??

Patty S.

One option that may not come immediately to mind is to scrap the existing tree and start new in the new location. You may be thinking there is more value in a 6 foot, in ground tree in the wrong location than there actually is.

Over the span of a couple years there is no advantage to starting with a six foot tree, verses obtaining a 3 gallon or 5 gallon nursery tree to plant in the new location. It is a huge stress on a larger tree to be uprooted and moved. While requiring less attention and care, within 2~3 years the smaller tree will match and likely exceed the larger tree in size and have the advantage of starting with a known variety and rootstock. Nursery trees are relatively cheap in LA and the available retail outlet selection is the best in the world. Planting a five gallon tree is an afternoon chore, uprooting and successfully moving a 6 foot tree is quite a bit bigger task.

I'm not necessarily making a recommendation, just adding food for thought.

Patty - not exactly sure it's a Valencia, but it's def not navel.

Bada Bing - it's an interesting suggestion, and a good point. We moved into the house with a mature grapefruit and the one orange, and we've since planted several different (small) fruit trees around the property which have yet to get going. I think we had this idea that we had to keep the mature trees at all costs, but maybe we should re-think the expense and effort.

Thanks for all the input!