How to Prune a Navel Orange Tree in a Drought
- 1). Examine the navel orange tree in the late winter for water sprouts and broken branches. The water sprouts will rob the tree of energy and water.
- 2). Cut back any dead, damaged or diseased branches on the navel orange tree to the branch collar, the area where the branch meets the trunk of the tree.
- 3). Cut off any suckers from the base of the navel orange tree with pruners.
- 4). Cut off any water sprouts or horizontal growth from the navel orange tree. Pruning this growth promotes more fruit production.