How to identify desired branches of a citrus or unwanted rootstock branches?

[erikc]

The lowest branches are strangely round and cigar-shaped, I wonder if they are rootstock and I should remove them?

lime tree-lower branches suspicious

[EricL]

Hello @erikc 

Thanks for sharing your question about your citrus plant. It certainly does appear to be rootstock because of its of unusual growth. Let me call on our plant guru @Noelle for a second pair of eyes on this citrus plant.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Noelle]

Hi @erikc 

The lower branches should be removed, not because they are rootstock but because, in my opinion, they have huge galls on them caused by citrus gall wasp.

Cut them off cleanly as close to the trunk and possible, and watch for glass on other parts of your tree as we move into spring. Learn more about citrus gall wasp to help you control this pest.