Mussari:

This lemon story is hard to explain, and maybe that's why no one has had a crack at it. First, we have to define what that "cutting" was. A cutting is usually a rooted piece from the upper or grafted portion of the tree. Are you sure that is what you have?

On the other hand, the "cutting" may have actually been a shoot from the rootstock of the tree, which could be a number of things, including a trifoliate, which might explain the odd leaf shape. A tree grown from a rootstock shoot will probably never have lemons as that word is usually defined.

Whatever the case, 8 years is long enough for an experiment, if you really want to try to grow lemons, and it may be time to cut losses and buy a real dwarf lemon like a Meyer. I planted a little Meyer last spring, and it began to bloom and set lemons in less than six months. Be advised that I am not a "pro", but hey, eight years!

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

If the leaves on your plant exhibit two or more leaflets, it is very likely a trifoliate species or hybrid rootstock -- usually 'Flying Dragon', 'Troyer', 'Swingle', or any number of different hybrids bred only for rootstock (lemon leaves are unifoliate and exhibit no hint of a wing on the petiole).

These rootstocks usually produce very inferior fruit, but may never bear for you as the rootstocks are usually juvenile seedlings/saplings and would need to grow VERY tall before bearing. You may not want to wait to find out what it is!

If you still want to get your friend's lemon, take a cutting further up the tree.

Thank you both for your responses. I agree with you! I used the incorrect terminology by calling it a graft. Rootstock is what I was thinking. What brought it to mind, I had a Contorted Willow that died over a harsh winter. That next Spring, it sprouted a beautiful sprig....that never contorted YET still had the same leaf & bark. Anyway. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I think I may give it last rites before the next trash day & then search for a producing tree that I can baby & get results.
Thanks again,
Tina