Thanks for the advice, I've thinned the fruits a bit and will look at support structures. Once this season is over though I'm thinking I should trim the branches a fair bit back, there any general rules for how much to cut so I'm not doing more damage than good? Thanks again!
Hi Kierun
Here's a publication on citrus tree care from the Hawaii Cooperative Extension:
https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/F_N-14.pdf.
There's a small section on pruning on page 6, just the usual advice of removing water shoots and crossing branches, and
opening up the interior. It says to prune after the fruit is harvested. (Apparently no need to wait until the tree is dormant, because your weather is so mild that your trees apparently don't do that). There doesn't appear to be mention of trees being overladen with fruit, or needing to cut back fruit-bearing branches to prevent breakage. Here's another article on pruning lemon trees:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lemons/lemon-tree-pruning.htm.
FYI -- pruning fruit trees is different than pruning a hedge or other plant. You don't just cut branches shorter so they are closer to the trunk. When you prune a fruit-bearing branch you'll remove it close to the trunk, just outside the branch collar, which means that entire branch will be gone for good. No 'undo' button. :)
Did you actually have any branches crack under the weight of the fruit? If not, then maybe the tree is ok without branch pruning. Maybe you could just do the above-mentioned basics (get rid of water shoots and crossed branches, and thin the fruit as needed). I have a persimmon tree with branches that droop a lot when it's fruiting, but its branches have never broken, and it seems to be ok. I thin the fruit a bit, but I'm not even sure I need to.
Another thought -- you could call a local nursery and garden center (a good one, with knowledgeable people) and ask them. Google "fruit trees for sale near me" and see if you get any nursery results that aren't big-box type stores.
Good luck!
