Question
Good morning.  I live in Nebraska and have a lemon tree that my children and I planted from a seed about 7-8 years ago.  It is about 14 feet tall and we bring it in every winter.  However, it has yet to produce a lemon.  Any ideas what we are doing wrong?

Answer
Hi Bobbi,

Citrus trees grown from seed rarely flower or produce fruit. The primary reason is that the seeds from cultivated fruit are usually sterile. Even if they are not, Citrus requires direct sunlight all year round and that is nearly impossible to do in Nebraska. Finally, if you do manage to get flowers, they have to be pollinated by hand to produce fruit.

I think it would be best to enjoy your lemon tree as a nice foliage plant rather than as a fruit-bearing tree. Perhaps the lesson here for your children is that lemons grow in FL and CA, but not NE. In any case, you are not doing anything wrong and deserve a pat on the back for managing to raise a 14-foot tree from seed!

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC