How to Grow an Orange Tree on a Trellis

Place a fan trellis on a wall or fence before you plant the orange tree. Select a site in full sun.

Dig the planting hole 6 inches from the trellis, aligned with its center. Make it 1 foot wider than the root ball in an area where the ground drains quickly. Firm up the bottom of the hole after you reach the depth that lets you position the root crown level with the surface. If the trellis is next to a wall, you may encounter debris left over from when it was built. In that case, replace the dirt in that area with topsoil rich in organic matter. Plant the orange tree in the center of the hole, refill it and irrigate the area.

Prune off all branches on the orange tree, leaving only the trunk, at planting. Trim the stem just above buds positioned where you want new branches to develop. The University of Florida Extension recommends locating that point 15 to 18 inches from the base. (See References 2, “Planting and Training Espaliers”)

Remove the branches at the end of the tree’s first growing season, except for the ones you choose to espalier. Bend and tie those to the trellis with string. Arrange them over the support into a fan shape.

Continue to tie new branches that develop in subsequent seasons to fill the trellis. Prune the ones that are not well positioned for the arrangement.

Water the newly planted tree twice weekly for 15 minutes. Beginning one month later, irrigate the plant whenever it wilts in the afternoon heat.

Feed orange trees every six weeks from late winter through early fall. Start out by applying half a cup of an 8-8-8 fertilizer early in the season. Gradually increase the amount with each application so that your last one gives the tree three cups of nutrients. As you broadcast the feed, keep it from touching the tree to prevent fertilizer burn. Water the tree after every application.