Dwarf Citrus Leaves Indicate Smog Problem

Q: The tops of the leaves on my dwarf citrus trees look bleached, while the bottoms of the leaves are green. I water and fertilize them regularly as per instructions from my local nursery. What’s the problem?

A: It sounds as if your trees have smog damage. High ozone concentrations can cause bleaching on the top side of citrus foliage. Unfortunately, there is little you can do about it except to move. If you continue to water and feed regularly, the trees will probably survive and bear fruit, although they won’t be as attractive as normal citrus trees.