Harvey Lemon Tree

Harvey is a named Florida lemon selection with the classic tart flavor and sour, yellow fruit associated with true lemons. Its upright, compact crown is usually thornless, making it a useful fruiting tree where a lemon can be grown in the ground or managed in a large container. ## Fruit and form The [Citrus ID profile for Harvey](https://idtools.org/citrus_id/index.cfm?entityID=8581&packageID=1179) traces the cultivar to Florida and describes a compact or dense, upright crown with thorns absent or not persistent. Its cultivar notes report fruit similar to Eureka and a late-summer-to-autumn season in Florida. The [University of Florida IFAS lemon guide](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS402) also lists Harvey among true lemon varieties and describes its fruit as similar to Eureka. ## Growing site Give the tree full sun and well-drained soil. Citrus needs protection from freezing weather; Harvey is reported to tolerate cooler conditions better than many true lemons, but the [nursery’s Harvey growing profile](https://www.orlandowestside.com/products/harvey-lemon-tree-fl) recommends zone 9–11 outdoor growing and protecting young trees during freezes. In colder areas, grow it in a container that can be moved to a bright sheltered place. ## Maintenance Water deeply when the soil begins to dry, then allow excess water to drain. Protect the root zone and young growth during cold snaps, and prune only to remove damaged branches or maintain clearance. Follow local citrus nutrition and pest guidance as the tree establishes.