Hi! I am completely new to citrus growing, so I apologize for a possibly stupid question. I am trying to select an appropriate spot for a citrus tree...

I have a young Navel that I am planning to plant next spring when it will be no risk of frost. There are two possible spots, both are in partial shade
(guess, it is not bad since full sun seems to be too much for young citrus trees) next to the house walls. One spot (East side) is next to a small Velencia (?) orange tree; the other spot (West side) is relatively far from other citrus plants. I am not quite sure whether Navel would benefit from cross-pollination and another orange plant within 15 feet would do any good. So, could you, please, advise me on the spot selection?

Thank you very much!!

I don't think planing the tree near other citrus would necessarily be beneficial or detrimental to the new navel, but if frost is an issue then I would plant it on the east side since that would provide a bit more protection from frost (assuming that you are in the US).

Also, depending on your climate, now may be the best time to plant the tree so that you can benefit from root growth over the winter.

And finally, if you are becoming interested in citrus, then more than likely you will have citrus trees in both places before too long...

John,

thank you very much for your response!

Climate-wise, I'm near Houston, TX (zone 9a). Last winter, we lost two citrus trees although they were well rooted and covered. This is the reason why I'm planning to wait till spring especially since my Navel is grafted on sour orange roots... The west side spot has a better protection from wind (my neighbor on the other side has no fence since Ike).

And yes, I am interested in citrus! As well as in other fruits... Therefore, the spot not taken by the Navel will be taken by an apriun tree. I think 5 citrus trees are already too much for our .15 acre lot.

Thank you very-very much again!!

nice to see another houstonian. did you mean aprium? i planted one in the spring my only concern is chill hours. i plan on grafting low chill apricots onto the aprium.

good luck with the citrus, i too think east would be a good place. that way it can start warming up as soon as the sun hits it. less time in lower temps is always good.

Thank you!
Actually, I'm about 90 miles from Houston but we are in the same climate zone.

Yes, I meant "Flavor delight aprium". I read it requires only 150-200 chill hours. We wanted to have an apricot but learned quickly that they do not produce down here... Aprium seems to be a good alternative, so we decided to try.

Good luck with grafting an apricot on it!!

Thank you very much for all your responses!

I finally found few hours to read online regarding pollination of citrus and to learn that navel do not quite produce pollen (at least, I got this impression from what I read). So, there seem to be no "cross-pollination" issue for navels at all. East side it will be! I have a nice planting hole there left after removing another little tree.

Thanks!!