What's wrong with my lime tree?

[timsen]

Hi there,

CA resident (SF bay area) here.

The lime tree I planted 5 years ago started looking unhealthy last year but it's now getting worse.
It did not have any significant new growth for 2 years now. Additionally, one branch is loosing all its leaves this spring. The other branches don;t have new growth but at least are not dropping leaves.
The trunk looks kind of weird (I think).

Soil is moist, but not wet. It's watered once a week. I have 2 orange trees on the same water schedule, they are striving well.

Any suggestions? I've attached a few photos of it.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Chuck]

When was the last time the tree was fertilized and with what?

 

[timsen]

2 months ago with citrus fertilizer (3-5-5).
I did not apply a lot though. Should I try applying larger amounts and/or more frequently?

 

[Chuck]

2 months ago with citrus fertilizer (3-5-5).
I did not apply a lot though. Should I try applying larger amounts and/or more frequently?

You should use 2-3 lbs per inch of the diameter of the trunk above the graft point out to the drip line at least twice per year

 

[timsen]

Ok, it was not nearly as much so I'll apply a lot more and will report back in a few weeks.

Thanks!

 

[timsen]

It has been a few months and while I was fertilizing regularly, the condition got worse.
The trunk is peeling and more branches are dying. There is still no new growth (all year) except on the bottom of the trunk, below from where the trunk is peeling.
From what I could read on different websites, this might be a fungal infection?

Does anyone know what kind of disease this is and the treatment I can apply, based on the photos of the trunk?

 

[Chuck]

This is very puzzling. If it is not a nutritional issue then I have to conclude it is a viral issue, but the symptoms do not show what most viral diseases exhibit such as oozing gum. It could possibly be Psorosis but Psorosis usually has oozing gum but not always. And I don't don't think it is any of the Phytophthora fungal rots as the trunk shows no blackening. All I can say is I think it very wise to contact your local extension agent. All of that new growth that is coming from below the graft should be removed as all it is doing is sapping strength from the tree and will grow into a tree with huge thorns and inedible fruit.