Question
QUESTION: JUST IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS MY ORANGE TREE'S BARK IS BEGINNING TO PEEL AWAY.  UNDER THE BARK IS A BLACK-LIKE FUNGUS.  THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY INSECTS AND THE FRUIT WAS AND IS GOOD.  THE TREE IS 10YEARS OLD AND I HATE TO LOOSE IT.  I LIVE IN CAESAREA ISRAEL AND OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY WARM SO I HAVE TURNED ON THE WATER.  TO TELL YOU T HE TRUTH I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN PEELING, BUT IN THE LAST FEW DAYS IT SEEMS TO BE PEELING FASTER.  WHAT SHOULD I DO.. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

ANSWER: Hi Joan,  Your citrus tree maybe getting to much water, make sure you do not mulch or anything have anything planted under the tree, they need to dry out.  Also, it could be on the wrong root stock.  Make sure it is getting good drainage. I have changed one of mine around and did not put anything on it just changed the watering of it.   kathy

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QUESTION: HI KATHY,
NOT SURE THAT THE WATER IS THE PROBLEM. AT MOST IT RECEIVES 15MINUTES A DAY AND IT'S A DRIP SYSTEM..AND MOST OF THE WINTER THERE HAS BEEN NO WATERING JUST THE NATURAL RAIN.  ONLY IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS BECAUSE ISRAEL HAS HAD EXTREMELY WARM WEATHER HAS THE DRIPPERS BEEN ON.  THE TREE HAS BEEN IN THE GROUND FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND IT'S SURROUNDED BY OVAL ROCKS (DECORATIVE)..TOMORROW THE COLD WEATHER WILL START AGAIN SO THE IRRIGATION WILL BE SHUT OFF..SO WE'LL SEE IF THE NATURAL RAIN, AND CLIMATE WILL HELP.  MY OTHER ORANGE TREE JUST STARTED BUDDING AGAIN..IT THINKS IT'S SPRING HERE.
ANYWAY I APPRECIATE YOU HELP AND QUICK REPLY
ALL THE BEST
JOAN

Answer
Hi Joan, Your bark is beginning to peel away as it is drowning or getting severe fungus.  You must keep the area under your tree free from stones, mulch, flowers, you must see the ground.  Citrus roots are high in the soil and need to dry out in-between watering.  About 3 1/2 inches per week minimum in the summer and water every two weeks in the winter if it doesn't rain. By removing the stone it should correct the peeling bark.   kathy