From the Archives: Wild Oranges

During his travels in the 1700s, a botanist named Bartram reported finding wild citrus groves scattered along lakes and rivers. He stated that the majority of them were found growing with magnolia and bay trees and that the environment was perfectly suited for citrus growth. It is believed that the Native Americans in the area were responsible for planting these wild citrus groves. They most likely got the seeds from white settlers in the region as citrus originated from Europe.

When early settlers began to make a home in Florida, they began to graft and cultivate these citrus groves. A grove is defined as a naturally growing body of trees while an orchard is characterized as being a planned planting that is going to be harvested. Groves are trees that are typically free of underbrush.

Early settlers made attempts to cultivate the citrus groves in formation; however, they realized how difficult it was to grow seedlings in these conditions. This is when the citrus nursery was first implemented. Seedlings are planted in separate regions, and when they become large enough, the seedlings are then moved to the large-scale grove with the already adult trees.

Written by Tanzy Zviitwah, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Fellow
In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center
Spring 2024

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Sources:

Mack, Thomas B. Citrifacts II: A Portion of Florida Citrus History. Bartow, Florida: Associated Publications Corporation, 1998.