Orlah for trees on a porch
Question
We bought a limequat tree grafted onto another type of citrus tree. It is in a pot with holes in the bottom, on a brick porch. Do we have to wait 3 years before we use the fruit?
Answer
Rabbi Moshe Bloom
Technically, since the tree most likely was on a surface that was detached from the ground in the nursery, you can count its years in the nursery for the orlah count now that you are continuing to grow the tree on a detached surface (the count would restart, however, if in the future you plant it in the ground).
If possible, try to find out from the nursery how old the tree is; that information would be very helpful. If you’re unable to obtain it, please send us a photo of the tree, and our agronomist can estimate its age; you might be able to save a year or two!
Continuation (after receiving a picture of the tree):
After discussing the matter with our agronomist, you can halachically date your tree to 1 Tammuz 5783. That means you're almost done with your orlah years (as long as you keep it on your porch, and don't plant it in the ground), and the tree's fruit will be neta revay after this Tu Bishevat. That is, any fruit that begins to form after 15 Shevat this year will be permissible to eat after transferring its sanctity to a coin. Any fruit already on the tree before this date should be removed and disposed.
See our orlah calculator below. This link can be accessed here.