How Much Does a Lemon Tree Cost?
A lemon tree can reach up to 20 feet tall and is known to have sharp thorns on the twigs. With dark green leaves, a lemon tree has a mildly fragrant flower that can grow up to five petals.
Lemon trees grow the best in coastal areas where the temperatures never fall below the 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only that, coastal areas will produce the best-tasting lemons.
The most common states for a lemon tree include Florida and California, and the cost of a lemon tree is going to depend upon the size of the tree, the nursery selling it, as well as the geographical location.
How much does a lemon tree cost?
A five-gallon lemon tree, on average, can cost anywhere from $30 to $90. A Dwarf Meyer Five Gallon, for instance, often retails for $50 to $90, depending on the size. For instance, at LemonCitrusTree.com, they sell a three to a four-year-old tree for about $65.
A dwarf tree that can be grown indoors and remains small for the life of the tree can cost anywhere from $8 to $45. For example, Lowe’s sells a three-gallon dwarf lemon tree for about $45.
Another lemon tree — the Ponderosa Lemon Tree — retails for about $45 for a three-year-old tree.
A pack of lemon tree seeds can cost $1 to $5, and these packets of seeds commonly come in a pack of 10 to 20.
Mature trees that are taller than five feet tall can cost upwards of $125 to $300, depending on the height and nursery selling them.
Common types of lemon trees
Eureka
The Eureka is a medium-sized tree with lemons that have very few seeds and are harder to peel when compared to most. In terms of tree size, the Eureka can grow 12 to 16 feet tall. This type of tree can grow in milder winters.
Lisbon
The Lisbon is highly productive and can be very heat tolerant, making it a great choice for those who want to grow a lemon tree in the desert.
Meyer
The Meyer is a compact lemon tree known for producing dark green foliage and lemons with a high sugar content. These trees, due to its size, will grow well in a container.
Pink Lemon
The Pink Lemon tree produces a lemon with pinkish colors, making it an attractive choice for your yard.
What are the extra costs?
Fertilizer is highly recommended three times a year to ensure that that the lemon tree remains healthy. Most fertilizer designed for a citrus tree will cost about $10 or so.
Due to the size of the lemon tree, it is recommended that they are pruned on an annual basis. Once they grow to about 14 feet tall, it may be ideal to have a professional come in to prune them.
Local delivery of mature trees can result in a delivery surcharge fee. If the tree is purchased online through a nursery, shipping charges may apply.
Tips to know:
Nurseries will commonly package the lemon trees commonly in five-gallon containers, and the tree can be taken from the container and planted in soil that has a recommended Ph level of 5.5 to 6.5.
It’s always best to make sure that a lemon tree is away from any type of frost. If the climate is ever going to reach below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it may not be a suitable location for your lemon tree.
In order to have a healthy lemon tree, it’s going to need the proper soil in order to grow. Gardeners will recommend that you add lime to the soil before it’s planted. The soil should also be well-drained.
Some gardeners will recommend that in the first two years of the lemon tree’s life, it’s best to take the fruit off to ensure that the tree has a better crop down the road. This shouldn’t be the case though for those that are looking to purchase a tree that is already mature. The same can be said about a hybrid tree as well. If you don’t know if it’s a hybrid, check with the nursery.
The United States Department of Agriculture recommends hardiness zones nine to 11.
How can I save money?
Consult with a few local nurseries to see what they have to offer. It is a lot easier to purchase a lemon tree from a local nursery rather than purchasing one online.
Purchasing more than one tree can result in a discount. Try to plan to purchase your trees at once if you would like more than one.
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