Pruning lemon trees now while they are still sixth-year fruit
Question
I have an orange tree and our neighbor's lemon tree overhangs our property. Does this mean that we can trim back the trees before they have kedushah status as well?
Answer
Rabbi Moshe Bloom
It doesn't matter if lemons have or don't have shemitah sanctity now. Pruning now is a problem, since it encourages new growth, unless it is performed for non-agricultural reasons. If a tree overhangs your property and you want to trim it back, that is considered a non-agricultural reason. In your case it is obvious why you are pruning the tree. Optimally do it with a shinuy, if possible (different instrument, different height you would generally prune), but if not it is ok.