Navel Orange Tree

The Navel Orange Tree, scientifically known as Citrus sinensis ‘Washington Navel’ (or similar navel cultivars), is one of the most beloved and widely cultivated evergreen citrus trees, renowned for its sweet, seedless, and easy-to-peel fruit. While all sweet oranges trace their origin to China and Southeast Asia, the specific ‘Washington Navel’ cultivar originated in Brazil in the early 1800s. It thrives in mild, temperate to subtropical climates with distinct warm days and cool nights, requiring full sun and well-drained soil. In regions like Phoenix, Arizona, it is a highly popular and productive landscape tree, performing exceptionally well in the hot, dry summers. As a long-lived perennial, a Navel Orange Tree can remain productive for 50 to 100 years or more with proper care.

Its most distinctive characteristics include its rounded, moderately dense canopy of lush, dark green, glossy leaves, providing attractive year-round foliage. The tree typically reaches a manageable height of 10-20 feet, making it suitable for home gardens. The branches are generally thornless or have very few, small thorns, making harvesting pleasant. The most defining feature of the fruit is the “navel” opposite the stem end, which is actually a small, undeveloped secondary fruit embedded within the main fruit. This unique characteristic also indicates its seedless nature, making it exceptionally convenient for eating fresh. The fragrant, white flowers bloom profusely in spring, attracting pollinators. The fruit ripens in late fall through winter and into early spring, depending on the climate and specific cultivar, turning a vibrant orange color when fully mature. The Navel Orange is celebrated for its juicy, sweet, and rich flavor, making it a favorite for fresh consumption. Its ornamental appeal, delicious and convenient fruit, and adaptability make the Navel Orange Tree an excellent choice for home gardens, edible landscapes, and as a productive and attractive shade tree, particularly thriving in the Phoenix, Arizona climate.