Question
We have a lemon tree that has been prolific in its growth & fruit-bearing.
Now about 5 years old & had hundreds of large lemons this year alone.
However, when we returned from travel in October (tree is on Florida west
coast near Peace River), some of the branches had broken (I thought from the
weight of the fruit they bore) and it had fewer leaves than normal. Also, the
bark near the base of the trunk is cracked & peeling. Many of the fruit had
developed scaling on the rind, though the fruit inside are still great. Recently,
large sections of the tree's limbs are dying. I realize the description is vague,
but could provide a digital photo if that is helpful/possible. I fear the whole
tree is dying and might have something that would affect our other citrus
including 3 honeybell orange trees in close proximity. Any advice would be
appreciated.

Answer
Hi John, Sounds like root rot.  Somehow it got too much water.  I had that happen to one of my citrons and I turned off all the water around it and that was over 10 years ago and we still have it and it healed all by itself.  Some may say to use a systemic, which of course is poison and then you would not want to eat the fruit.  So try the natural way.  You may send a photo if you think this would not be the problem.  I know the peace river comes up from time to time and it could have flooded???  kathy