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Kimbrough Satsuma

Kimbrough Satsuma Tree

The Kimbrough Satsuma has its origins in Louisiana. In the early 1900’s there was a killer freeze in Louisiana that destroyed much of the Satsuma crop. This tree survived such cold temperatures; hardy to around 12F. The Kimbrough tree is a larger Satsuma tree with a spreading growth habit.

November through December is the peak time for Satsumas. Fruit matures before the rind develops an orange color so occasionally sample one starting in late October to determine if they are ripe. Unlike other citrus, Satsuma fruit holds poorly on the tree after ripening and should be picked promptly. If fruit is left on the tree too long after they mature, they become puffy or pithy and loose their flavor.

Use hand pruners to clip fruit when harvesting. When fruit is “pulled” from the tree, fruit may tend to “plug” leaving part of the skin on the tree. This will cause the fruit to rot and shorten the storage time.