http://jacksonville.com/lifestyles/home_and_garden/2010-01-19/story/garden_qa_fruit_on_navel_orange_tree_is_hard_and_dry

Garden Q&A: Fruit on navel orange tree is hard and dry

* By Paula Lamb
* Story updated at 1:16 PM on Monday, Jan. 18, 2010

I have a 3-year-old red navel orange tree that is about 8 feet tall. The fruit on it has always been dry and hard. Is there something I can do to get better fruit?

You are likely experiencing a naturally occurring disorder of citrus called granulation, or drying of the fruit sacs. This problem is worse on young or vigorously growing trees. It is also common on larger citrus such as navels.

Granulation is also associated with over mature fruit, lack of water and extended warm and/or dry fall weather.

Your citrus is quite young and at 8 feet, it would appear to be growing rapidly. Continue to follow recommended watering and fertilizing practices and give it another couple of years to see if the problem clears up.