What’s more iconic than a Florida orange? 

Do you remember the days when you could pick a juicy, ripe Florida orange straight from your own backyard tree? For many home gardeners in Florida, this was a cherished tradition that brought a sense of pride and joy. 

However, in recent years, this simple pleasure has been threatened by a devastating disease called citrus greening, which has had a profound impact on the state's citrus industry as well as home gardeners. But there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon in the form of a new tree that is resistant to this disease. The discovery of the Donaldson tree has sparked a new wave of optimism, offering the potential to revive the Florida citrus industry and once again bring the joy of home-grown oranges to gardeners across the state.

A Bitter Disease: Understanding Citrus Greening

First, let's talk about citrus greening, or Huanglongbing (HLB). It's a bacterial disease that affects citrus trees, causing them to produce small, bitter fruit that is of no use to the citrus industry. The disease is spread by an insect called the Asian citrus psyllid, which is found in many parts of the world. The Asian citrus psyllid is responsible for spreading the disease. It was first found in Florida in 1998 and began to have a noticeable impact by 2005. 

Meet the Donaldson Tree: A New Hope for Florida Citrus

Now, there is hope in the discovery of a tree in Groveland, of central Florida. This tree, known as the Donaldson tree, is tolerant or resistant to citrus greening, which means that it can produce healthy fruit even in the presence of the disease. Ben Rosson, the bureau chief of Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said, “It's still growing, it still has a good canopy on it. And the fruit is still good. It doesn't have the fruit drop that a lot of our early varieties have now.”

The Donaldson tree has been around for over 30 years, but it wasn't until recently that its potential was recognized. The hope is that this tree will be able to revive the Florida citrus industry, as well as provide a solution for gardeners who want to grow citrus in their own backyards. 

Can the Donaldson Tree Save Florida's Citrus Industry?

The tree is currently the focus of an extensive endeavor. A team of scientists has been studying all aspects of the tree, and the Florida Department of Citrus has established the Program for Expedited Propagation (PEP) of HLB-tolerant and resistant trees as a result of this noteworthy discovery of the tree. The fact that there is a tree out there that is resistant to citrus greening is a major breakthrough, and it could be the key to reviving Florida's citrus industry. 

In conclusion, citrus greening has been a major problem for the Florida citrus industry for almost two decades, but there is hope on the horizon in the form of the Donaldson tree. By propagating this tree as fast as possible, the Florida Department of Citrus is working to revive the industry and provide a solution for gardeners who want to grow citrus in their own backyards. 

Let's hope that this new tree is the answer we've been looking for! Additionally, composted oak leaves may hold promise for other citrus that have been plagued by citrus greening. To read more on that click here. 

SOURCES:
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2023-04-19/newly-discovered-orange-tree-hope-florida-citrus-industry

https://citrusindustry.net/2022/08/05/whats-next-for-the-donaldson-citrus-variety/

https://citrusindustry.net/2022/03/15/donaldson-tree-is-beacon-of-hope/

https://citrusindustry.net/2022/08/02/non-certified-donaldson-trees-limited-availability-for-growers/

https://citrusindustry.net/2022/07/26/expedited-tree-propagation-program-approved/