7 Best Citrus Trees To Grow In Dallas
The climate of Dallas can be tough on citrus trees. Even some of the hardiest varieties can’t withstand temperatures that fall below 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, there are a few hardy varieties available in Texas, such as the Satsuma Miho Mandarin. The fruit of these tropical plants glows like lanterns, and their vibrant colors recall the Crayola crayons we used to play with as children. The color and taste of citrus in North Texas is due to the warm summer days and cool autumn nights.
For the best results, prune your citrus trees only when necessary. You can leave the branches and the trunk bare in the winter.
This will help protect the citrus from the chill and reduce the risk of freeze damage. In addition, it will allow the trees to continue to grow naturally without pruning.
But, remember that there are some species of citrus that are susceptible to a wide range of pests. These include mites and insects that can affect the quality of your fruit.
The coldest temperature for citrus trees in Texas is 24 degrees Fahrenheit. While the minimum temperature is only important, you can minimize the damage by adopting good pruning practices.
Generally speaking, freezing temperatures don’t affect citrus trees as much as the duration of the cold. So, a brief drop of 24 degrees may not cause as much damage as several hours of low temperatures.
Moreover, prolonged exposure to cold weather causes the trees to slow down and increase their cold-hardiness. The ‘Miho’ satsumas, for example, are the most hardy of all types.
A severe freeze can severely damage a citrus tree. Proper care and cold protection practices can help you limit the damage, and help your citrus trees survive the extreme temperatures.
The length of freezing temperatures is often more important than the minimum temperature. A one-hour freeze may not damage a citrus tree as badly as several hours at 26 degrees.
The exposure to cold weather will stop the growth of your citrus trees and increase their natural cold-hardiness. For example, the ‘Miho’ satsumas can tolerate 18 degrees Fahrenheit in early February when they are completely dormant, but at 24 degrees in late December, they become the most cold-hardy.
Eureka Lemon Tree
Generally, the pale yellow variety found at the grocery store is the standard variety, but you can easily grow your own too – why not give it a try?
Eureka lemons, however, have little to no seeds in addition to having a strong lemon flavor.
Difficult to peel, thick-skinned fruits have thick skins and mainly produce juice.
The pink flesh of Eureka lemons is delicious because the juice is acidic and tart.
Lemons are delicious when they are large and juicy, so they are perfect for cooking and juicing.
It is possible to add great flavor to just about any dish or drink – sweet or savory.
Lemons are known for their vitamin C content, but did you know they also provide potassium and folic acid? If you’re on a detox diet, squeeze your own lemon into water in the morning for a morning pick-me-up.
Lemons stored at room temperature can be used within one week, or they can be kept in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Both the juice and the zested peel can be frozen. Keep lemons in olive oil in the refrigerator to preserve them. There is nothing better for chicken than lemon oil!
Kaffir Lime Tree
You can grow your own Thai spice and save money at the same time. It is primarily used as a leaf in different types of Southeast Asian cuisines, primarily Thai, Indonesian, Cambodian and Lao cuisines.
Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix ‘Kaffir’), is a dwarf fruit tree grown for year-round culinary interest, it is mainly grown for its leaves which are highly prized.
There is a tremendous amount of flavor added to a dish with the addition of a Kaffir leaf combined with the fresh lime zest of the fruit, similar to Bay Leaves or Lemongrass.
You will enjoy making a variety of Thai curries and stir-fries which are prepared with the freshest possible ingredients.
A kaffir lime is distinguishable by its doubled lobed leaf that appears to be divided into two separate segments; therefore, the essential oil derived from the leaves is in high demand throughout the world.
This fruit is mostly used for its rind, which is one of its key uses. You can use it in many different ways, including adding it to foods and beverages that you prepare.
When prepared correctly, the juice has a very powerful effect that can be used for a variety of household uses, and it is very effective.
Buddha Hand Fruit
As it turns out, this particular variety of citrus was one of the oldest citrus varieties known to man at the time.
At the end of the mature stage, the fruit does not look like a typical round citrus fruit.
As the fruit matures, it takes on the shape of a human hand, with its fingers facing outward.
Citrons are also known as fingered citrons and originated in Northern India and China.
As if they were lemons with fingers, some have referred to them as such.
In addition to its sweet floral scent and mild tang, lemons are an important fruit of the Mediterranean region.
The fruit has little to no flesh or juice inside – it is mostly rind and pith. Citrus fruit doesn’t have any insides, so you can’t eat it, but you can candy the rind and use the extract in baking and drinking infusions.
As with most fruits, the fruit is often used to display on a table or as a centerpiece for flowers, or to scent your home. You only need to slice off one of the ‘fingers’ of the flower and it will scent your whole room with a mouth-watering citrusy scent.
Hardy Orange Tree ‘Flying Dragon’
One of the most striking things about the Hardy Orange Tree, also known as the Flying Dragon Trifoliate Orange Tree, is that it grows from the ground and has no canopy.
The twisted stems resemble dragon’s wings since the growing tips are twisted in different directions and the thorns are curved, claw-like and converge in several directions.
In addition, the Flying Dragon is a plant that is easy to grow. The Hardy Orange, though its appearance is exotic and it is quite rare, is a good container plant, even if it is pruned in exactly the way that bonsai trees do.
As the tree’s shape changes, it turns from a thorny tree that looks wicked in the winter – to a soft, flowering tree in the spring, which is quickly followed by colorful, fragrant oranges.
Chandler Pummelo Tree
In so far as fruit is concerned, the Pummelo is a descendant of the Grapefruit.
They have really big, sweet fruits that can weigh up to nine pounds! The Chandler Plummelo Tree (Citrus maxima ‘Chandler’) has a smooth, glossy yellow rind usually with a pink blush. The flesh is juicy, very sweet, and a gorgeous deep pink color.
Chandler Grapefruit is an evergreen with big, glossy leaves. There are huge fragrant flowers before the fruit appears on this tree.
There’s nothing like the display of bright blossoms and large yellow gems framed by evergreen foliage!
Harvest is in the fall when the fruit is mature. Grapefruit is very similar to it, but with some additional benefits. Besides its larger size and sweet, juicy taste, you can segment it much easier than the traditional Grapefruit!
Genoa Lemon Tree
This antique lemon, also known as the Genoa Lemon, is similar to the Eureka.
The foliage is dense and the plant grows vigorously. Over a century ago, the Genoa Lemon (Citrus x ‘Genoa’) was introduced to the U.S.
It has always been a beloved variety, but it has gained in popularity over the past decade.
This variety originated in Genoa, Italy, and was introduced in 1875. It is known for its high oil content in the rind and excellent flavor in Limoncello.
This Lemon tree has a shrub-like appearance, growing wider rather than tall, thus making it quite easy to harvest the delicious fruit.
In addition, its small size also makes it an ideal plant for container growth. Crops of large, vibrant yellow fruit, ripening on the tree, that require little space and are easy to handle.
This tree is covered in fragrant, beautiful white blossoms, making it ideal for pollinators. Its lush, glossy green foliage remains vibrant throughout the year, while the compact form makes it a four-season addition to any garden.
