Did some trimming today following the provided instructions (thank you again!). Some dead stuff was very easy to identify: it snapped off when I barely touched it. Below is a pic of dead branches and rotting-on-the-branch lemons that I pulled down today:
Here are some encouraging signs, I think:
Here is the current state of the tree:
The instructions on my tree food say to apply once a month until the tree improves, so I will be doing another application soon.
A few questions, in case anyone returns to this thread:
1) One large lemon I recently harvested was very dry on the inside. Does that signify anything in particular? (Or is it just a general sign of an unwell tree?)
2) Should I be cutting dead branches just from under the canopy, or anywhere I find dead branches? (Per my mother's instructions, I'm already cutting off dead lemons wherever I find them and can reach them with my longest shears.)
3) My mother thinks some upcoming rain will be helpful for cleaning dust and such off the tree. If the rain turns out to be light, maybe some hosing down would be helpful?
4) Should I be troubled that the citrus tree food I bought has a CA cancer warning on it?
I wish I could beam the tree into this group’s more capable hands. Since I cannot, I will try to do better for this tree. THANK YOU again!