lime tree

[bell]

I have a lime tree in a tub on my deck that needs pruning because one limb
has several limes on it and is jutting out to one side throwing the whole
tree off balance.

When can I prune? Should I prune flush with the trunk or leave a stub?

Thanks for your help.

 

[treeclimber165]

Lime trees are quite forgiving as far as pruning is concerned. When pruning, you don't want to leave 'stubs' because they will either die and create a good home for critters and fungi, or they will sprout out with several suckers.
We talk about cutting back to the 'branch collar' a lot. This is the trunk wood that swells around the base of each limb to help support the limb. Cutting the branch collar will prevent the tree from being able to close over the wound.
Without getting too technical, I'd say to leave ¼ to ½ inch sticking out from the trunk. This will leave the branch collar intact without leaving a big stub.

What type of lime tree do you have? I inherited a HUGE key lime tree when I bought my house 4 years ago.