Why is my orange tree dropping leaves? | Easy solutions

Orange trees will drop leaves if they are not getting enough water, if there is extreme temperature variation, not enough nutrients or if they are being attacked by scale bugs. Orange trees love regular water and a very hot summer can cause rapid leaf drop. The tree can be saved if they are given regular water, top dressed with compost and adding a layer of mulch.

Top reasons why orange trees will drop leaves

Here are the top reasons why orange trees will drop leaves and solutions.

Not enough water

Orange trees like regular water so if they dry out the leaves will turn yellow, then brown and drop off. The tree will conserve water sending less to the tips of the leaves which will cause the leaves to drop. Brown leaves on the ground is a good sign that the tree is not getting enough water.

Identify the issue and solve it!

To identify if this is the issue, check the soil to see if it is damp 2 inches below the surface of the soil. For dry soil, grab you hose with a sprayer nozzle and spray the soil thoroughly. Water the tree around the root zone which will fall in the imaginary line under the tree canopy.

Repeat this every 2-3 days for a 2 weeks if the weather is hot. You might even see new leaves start to sprout through if this is the problem. Orange trees are quick to respond to good watering so give it a go to easily solve the problem of not enough water.

Mulch the plant well

An important way to make sure an orange tree has consistent water is to mulch the area well. Using a 3 inch layer of sugar cane or straw mulch will help to hold water in the soil for longer and reduce evaporation.

Bark or tree mulch is also perfect for established orange trees as it will last longer, hold and release moisture into the soil and prevent weeds.

Temperature variation

Indoor or outdoor orange trees can suffer from leaf drop if the weather rapidly changes from hot to cold. The shock of the temperature chance can cause the tree to drop leaves rapidly, even losing up to a third of the whole leaf canopy.

The tree can definitely be saved from this point so don’t give up. Protecting the tree from temperature fluctuation can be done partly by layering a thick layer of mulch. This will reduce the rapid change in soil temperature which can shock the tree.

Leaving a larger tree canopy will help to protect the tree from frosts. Any tip damage on outer leaves will help to protect the tree overall. This will give the tree extra leaves to rely on if any are damaged by frost.

Scale bugs

Scale will suck the sap from your orange tree and cause the tree to suffer and eventually drop its leaves. Scale bugs will stick to the stems of the tree sucking the sap, releasing a sticky substance which can also attract aphids.

Scale bugs are easily treated with an eco-oil which can smother them. Washing off any bugs that are not hanging on too tightly with a garden hose is also a great move.

To treat the scale well follow these simple steps.

1. Wash the scale off with a hose, use a jet stream to remove extra bugs.
2. Allow the tree to dry off naturally in the sun and wind.
3. Spray the area with eco-oil which will help to treat the scale.
4. Repeat the process of treating with eco-oil until the scale is completely gone.

Root rot

Root rot in orange trees can cause significant leaf drop and is caused by too much water. When lots of water is sitting on the roots this can cause the extra water will cause the roots to rot.

Roots that have rotten will stop the tree from absorbing the nutrients from the soil and can also actually limit the water uptake. Blackening or yellowing leaves is an indicator that the tree is getting too much water.

Will orange trees die if they lose their leaves?

Orange trees are hardy especially if they are established. An orange tree that drops leaves is not necessarily on its way to death but it means that it is time for action to save it. To give your orange tree the best chance of recovering from leaf drop water it well over the next 4 weeks.

Top dress the tree with compost and add a few handfuls of pelleted chicken manure. This will give your tree a boost of nutrients to give it the best chance of recovery.

Why do orange trees lose their leaves?

Orange trees will lose their leaves if they get too dry, experience a rapid change in temperature from hot to cold or cold to hot or if they are being attacked by pests. The first thing to do is to check for scale which will look like little brown beetles which sit firmly against the tree stems. Treat the scale with eco oil if this is the problem.

The next thing to do is to top dress the tree with compost and water it in well with seaweed solution and liquid nitrogen fertilizer. This will give it a quick nutrient boost and help it to grow more leaves.

Keep the tree well-watered and keep an eye on the leaves over the next few weeks. If the weather is warm then it may start growing new leaves quickly. If the weather is cool you may have to wait until the next spring before the tree shows sign of new life and new leaves.

Will orange tree leaves grow back?

Orange tree leaves will definitely grow back if you fix the problem causing the leaf drop. Identify the issue first and rectify the problem by either watering it more, less or treating the scale. Adding a layer of good quality mulch and top dressing the orange trees with compost is always a good idea.

When the weather warms, the tree will be stimulated to grow more leaves and freshen up the canopy.

Why is my orange tree dropping leaves? | Summary

Orange trees will drop leaves if they are shocked by cold weather, are not getting enough water or are attacked by scale. These are the top reasons why the orange tree will lose leaves and can be solved by first identifying the problem, watering well and adding a layer of mulch.

Orange trees are a hardy tree which will recover quickly if given the attention they need.

Happy gardening.