Citrus made easy for growers, nurseries, and distributors

Lisbon lemons are very vigorous and are difficult to dwarf. However, dwarf Lisbon lemon trees offer the same fruit quality and productivity as full-size trees but in a smaller, more manageable form. A standard Lisbon lemon tree can reach 15 to 20 feet, while a dwarf Lisbon lemon tree typically stays around 8 to 12 feet and can be kept even smaller in containers.

Both produce medium to large, bright yellow lemons with classic tart flavor and high juice content, and both yield two main crops a year. The main advantage of the dwarf tree is convenience: it’s easier to prune, fertilize, and harvest, and it adapts well to container growing, making it ideal for patios or regions where citrus must be moved indoors during cold weather. Full-size trees are better suited to in-ground planting with room to spread, while dwarfs give home gardeners the same fruiting power in a compact, accessible package.

TreeSource observes the national weather forecasts and doesn’t ship if the trees could be damaged during shipment. We also insulate the boxes in the winter months as an added precaution. The key is good communication with the receiver to avoid damage to the trees in shipment.

Lisbon lemons combine reliability, resilience, and classic lemon flavor. They are highly productive trees, often bearing two crops a year, with a heavy harvest in winter and a lighter one in summer. The fruit itself is medium to large, with a bright yellow rind, high juice content, and bold acidity that makes it ideal for cooking, baking, juicing, and fresh use. Compared to some other lemon varieties, Lisbon lemon trees are hardier in hot, windy, and dry conditions, and their dense canopy naturally shields fruit from sunburn. While Lisbon trees do have thorns, they remain a favorite among commercial growers and home gardeners because of their adaptability, vigor, and ability to produce consistently heavy crops of high-quality fruit.

Keep in mind TreeSource is a wholesaler and does not commonly sell to the public. With that in mind, TreeSource offers four maturity levels for Lisbon lemons:

• Citrus liners

• Small Pots

• Large Pots (the tree growers plant)

A limited supply of Box Ready Trees (BRTs) that are 4 years old and already fruiting

Common rootstock options include Carrizo citrange, Flying Dragon trifoliate orange, Volkameriana, and Rich 16-6 trifoliate, each chosen for specific benefits:

• Carrizo citrange is popular for its vigorous growth, tolerance to some soil-borne diseases, and excellent fruiting potential.

• Flying Dragon is a slower-growing, naturally dwarfing rootstock, ideal for container or small-space plantings while still producing high-quality fruit.

These rootstocks help Lisbon lemon trees establish quickly, resist citrus nematodes and soil diseases, and maintain long-term health and fruit production. Selecting the right rootstock depends on your growing environment, soil type, and space requirements.