Forgiving trees

The last several years We have neglected our fruit trees.  I was going to say I, because I'm the one and only to care for the poor things.  My husband has a neck injury, and even though the doctors have "fixed" the problem my husband lives with debilitating chronic pain.  My 4 kids are adults 19 to 27 all but the 22 year old still live at home, but they just don't. Anyway Our poor neglected trees were looking bad, a few looked to be on deaths door.  Starting last fall I have been trying to do better.  Watering and some basics.  A couple of months ago I ringed the trees with wood chips (making sure the wood didn't touch the tree)  My son was out cutting something with the chainsaw, and I dragged him to the navel and satsuma orange trees and had him cut off all the dead branches and trim some larger branches to balance it out a bit.  I finished the job the best I could with the loppers.  The satsuma didn't look very good, and I was pretty sure the orange was a goner.  I'm not going to say they look amazing, but considering what they looked like only a couple of months ago there is a lot of improvement.  I really didn't think the smaller of the two which is orange would live.  My son said we should just cut it down and buy a new one.  I don't know how old it is, but we have lived here 26 years and the tree was full grown then.  It was much bigger, and my husband and I took good care of it for many of those years.  I don't know how long it will live, and or produce, but it deserved better care then it got, and seem willing to forgive my neglect.  I may plant it a friend, but I won't cut it down until it's life is done.

Cut yourself a little slack. Trees have a lifespan, so it may not be neglect at all.

I have found that fruit trees respond quite well to a judicious haircut. It makes them feel wanted, or gives them a reason to fight. Or something.