Question
Hello Gary,

I have a lemon tree that's about 4 months old, about 3 feet high. I heard on a gardening show that I should try to keep all my trees growing at the same rate and to prune them as such. Well, I accidentally trimmed the leader of my lemon tree.  It was hard to know if it was the leader at the time, but now I see that it is as the tree has grown. Did I ruin my tree?

Thanks!

Sonja Holthaus

Answer
Sonja,

All is not lost.  What you will have is a bushy lemon tree.  You could try to replace the leader.  Prune down to the highest lateral bud.  Chances are this bud will take over the duties of the apical meristem.  Or you can leave it alone and enjoy your lemon bush :)

Remember that when you have a question or want advice don't turn to HGTV, except for my favorite "Gardening by the Yard", send you question to me at AllExperts.com

Good luck

Gary