A Fairchild Tangerine. Photo by Ron Medvescek/Arizona Daily Star/2006
Q: My Tangerine tree is quite large and has “suckers” growing up from ground. Can I dig these up with a root ball? Will these produce fruit if grown? Folks and common sense tells me that coming from below “Graft” area that they will grow trees but, NOT bear fruit. Also, I live a mile south of the old Desert Treasures orange groves. So what happened to the “Thermal Belt” that used to be in this area? Because now we freeze like the rest of town!
A: Any suckers growing from below the graft union on the tree will be from the rootstock. You are correct in saying that the growth from below the graft will grow and it may even produce fruit but it will not be edible. The rootstock is chosen based on its hardiness rather than its fruit quality.
Since these suckers take energy to produce, it is best to prune them off whenever you see them so the tree can put its energy into something you might find tasty. I checked with our University of Arizona Climate Scientist, Mike Crimmins, and there is no thermal belt we are aware of having been in your area. This has been a colder year than normal with 10 days having freezing events so far. The average is 16 for the whole season and there is plenty of winter left. So it’s possible you are noticing it more this year.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com
