Lemon Tree Strain

Lemon Tree Strain: Lemon Skunk Meets Sour Diesel

The Lemon Tree strain is a balanced hybrid of Lemon Skunk and Sour Diesel, and one of the loudest lemon strains you can buy. Open a jar and it smells like fresh lemon peel cut with diesel and skunk. The high opens with a quick euphoric, happy lift and settles into a relaxed body buzz. It took second place for Best U.S. Hybrid at the 2014 High Times Cannabis Cup in Seattle and later fathered strains such as Gelonade. It fits the citrus corner of our THCA flower collection.

A lot of what's written about Lemon Tree is copied from page to page, and some of it is wrong — most visibly the claim that it won first prize in 2014. Below: what the sources actually say about its lineage and history, the terpenes behind that lemon, how the high unfolds, how strong it really is, how to use it, how to grow it, and how to judge a bag.

Lemon Tree Strain Genetics & Lineage

• Type: Balanced hybrid. AllBud lists it 50/50; Leafly calls it balanced, while its effect meter reads "mostly energizing." The Elev8 Seeds S1 version is sold as indica-dominant.
• Ancestry: Lemon Skunk × Sour Diesel, per Leafly, AllBud, Canna Provisions and Elev8 Seeds.
• Breeder: Not documented. Leafly and AllBud list none; Cannigma says there's no agreed first breeder and that one account credits a group of Santa Cruz, California growers. Elev8 calls it "a hard to find, elite cut from southern California."
• THC: Leafly lists 17%; AllBud and Canna Provisions 20–25%.
• CBD: Trace. Leafly lists about 1% CBG; Cannigma's lab averages show 0.03% CBD and 0.53% CBG.
• Aliases: Lemon Tree Kush (Leafly), Lemon Tree OG and Lemon OG (Cannigma).

The lineage dispute

Almost every database agrees on Lemon Skunk × Sour Diesel, and Elev8 Seeds describes Lemon Tree as "a particularly lemony phenotype" of that cross. The outlier is Creekside, whose description (quoted by Cannigma) calls it a cross of "the mythical Las Vegas Lemon Skunk and The OG #18." Both versions agree on the lemon-skunk side; the disagreement is whether the gas comes from Sour Diesel or an OG. The diesel-forward nose most people describe fits the Sour Diesel story better. Through Sour Diesel, Lemon Tree also sits in the Chemdawg family tree — Canna Provisions notes it shares that lineage with Purple Chem.

Why is the Lemon Tree famous? The real 2014 Cup result

Lemon Tree's reputation rests on its nose and one trophy — and that trophy is usually misreported. AllBud says it took "first prize at the 2014 Seattle Cannabis Cup for Best Hybrid," and Canna Provisions calls it the winner. High Times' own 2014 U.S. Cannabis Cup Seattle results list it in second place for Best U.S. Hybrid — "Lemon Tree from Creek Side" — behind Vegamatrix. Still a strong showing. Cannigma also lists a 1st place at the 2016 Santa Cruz Cup and 8th at the 2017 Emerald Cup; we couldn't independently confirm those.

Lemon Tree's offspring and the S1

Breeders love Lemon Tree as a citrus parent. Leafly lists Gelonade (Lemon Tree × Gelato #41) and Melonade as offspring; Cannigma adds Dosi Tree, Lemon Gelato, Lemon Snow Cone and Tasty Trees; and Canna Provisions sells Lemon Tree/Purple Chem. What is the Lemon Tree S1 strain? It's Lemon Tree crossed with itself — Elev8 Seeds' feminized "selfed" version, sold as indica-dominant with a 7–8 week flower and low-to-medium stretch.

Lemon Tree Terpene Profile

Here's the surprise: for a strain this lemony, limonene isn't the lead terpene. Leafly's lab-sourced data lists myrcene as most abundant, followed by pinene and caryophyllene. Cannigma's lab averages put numbers on it: myrcene 0.85%, caryophyllene 0.35%, pinene 0.3% and limonene 0.18%. Canna Provisions adds a little valencene for "smooth citrus fruitiness." Caryophyllene is notable in its own right — a 2008 PNAS study identified it as a "dietary cannabinoid" that binds CB2 receptors.

• Myrcene: Earthy and musky; the most abundant terpene in Lemon Tree, and a big part of why the high settles into a relaxed body rather than staying racy.
• Caryophyllene: Peppery and warm — the "peppered tea" finish Canna Provisions describes — and the only common terpene known to act directly on CB2 receptors.
• Pinene: Fresh pine; part of the sharp, clean top end and the clear-headed early lift.
• Limonene: Present but not dominant. The lemon you smell comes from the whole blend, including minor citrus compounds like valencene — not just limonene.

That's a useful lesson for buying any "lemon" strain: the nose and the lab sheet don't always tell the same story, and a myrcene-led profile explains why Lemon Tree is calmer than its smell suggests.

Appearance

AllBud describes Lemon Tree as "round dark olive green nugs that are absolutely coated in furry amber hairs," with a dusting of bright white trichomes; Cannigma also notes dark nugs dusted in frost. Expect medium-dense, rounded buds rather than long sativa spears, with heavy resin — Elev8 calls its version "frosty & resin-rich." One honest note from the S1 reviews: some phenotypes run to popcorn-sized buds, so size varies by cut.

Aroma and Flavor

Lemon Tree is all about the nose. Elev8 says it doesn't hint at lemon — "it screams lemon just from being in the same room." Crack a jar and you get sour, zesty lemon peel first, then pungent diesel and skunk underneath. AllBud describes "super sour lemon and skunky diesel," with an earthy, spicy base. The inhale is bright, sour lemon; the exhale turns smooth and sweet, with what Canna Provisions calls "a hint of peppered tea" and a dank, earthy finish. Leafly's flavor tags sum it up: lemon, citrus, diesel.

Recreational Effects

Lemon Tree is a classic "up, then down" hybrid. On Leafly, with nearly 180 ratings, the most-reported effects are:

• Relaxed: the top effect, especially in the back half of the session.
• Happy: a steady, good-mood baseline.
• Uplifted: the euphoric opening that gives Lemon Tree its daytime reputation.
• Body high and hunger: AllBud and Canna Provisions both flag the munchies.

How the high unfolds: onset, peak and duration

• First few hits: a quick euphoric rush — AllBud calls it the opening, Canna Provisions "a quick euphoric lift."
• 15–60 minutes: the peak — happy, uplifted, sociable, with a tingle spreading through the body.
• 1–3 hours: a slow, relaxed comedown. Canna Provisions calls it a good afternoon strain when you want to settle in toward sleep later.

It's lighter on its feet than most myrcene-heavy strains, but AllBud warns its potency "can overwhelm the average user," so pace it.

→ Experience it yourself — shop Diesel Hemp's THCA Flower

How Strong Is Lemon Tree?

Middle of the pack by modern standards, with a wide spread between sources:

• Leafly: 17% THC, about 1% CBG — still "higher THC than average" by Leafly's scale.
• Cannigma (lab averages): 17% THC, 0.53% CBG.
• AllBud: 20–25%, warning of "surprising potency."
• Canna Provisions: 20–25%, noting the range varies by grow.

That gap is typical for an older, widely shared cut: potency tracks the grower and the phenotype more than the name. Lemon Tree's appeal has always been the flavor rather than record-setting THC — a well-grown batch is a solid, clear-headed hitter, not a knockout.

THCA flower is labeled differently from dispensary flower: the lab reports THCA, which converts to THC when heated, plus a small amount of delta-9 THC. When you compare a Lemon Tree batch against the 17–25% range above, compare total THC on the COA, not the headline number — our guide on how to read a THCA flower COA walks through the math.

Lemon Tree vs Similar Strains

• vs Lemon Skunk: the citrus parent. Lemon Skunk is brighter and more sativa-energetic; Lemon Tree adds diesel and a more relaxed finish.
• vs Sour Diesel: the gas parent. Sour Diesel is racier and more fuel-forward; Lemon Tree is sweeter, calmer and far more lemony.
• vs Lemon Haze and Super Lemon Haze: haze-based lemon strains — brighter, sweeter and more energetic. Pick these for daytime focus, Lemon Tree for a rounder, more relaxed session.
• vs Lemon Diesel: the closest flavor twin — lemon over fuel.
• vs Gelonade: its child with Gelato #41 — lemon candy plus creamy dessert, and usually more potent.
• vs Dayglow Mousse: our closest in-stock match — a bright citrus, sativa-leaning hybrid. It shares the sunny citrus lift but carries less diesel and skunk than Lemon Tree.

Who Lemon Tree Is (and Isn't) For

Good fit: citrus lovers; afternoon and social sessions; anyone who wants a happy lift without a racy, anxious edge — the myrcene keeps it grounded.

Poor fit: people who want a pure energy strain for work (a haze is better) or a heavy sleep strain. For a creamier, heavier lemon on our shelf, try Lemon Cherry Gelato; for something lighter, Strawberry 2.1.

How to Use Lemon Tree THCA Flower — and How Much

THCA has to be heated to do anything. Raw, it isn't intoxicating; heat converts it to THC (decarboxylation), which is why the method matters as much as the strain.

• Smoking (joint, pipe, bong): the fastest onset. Take one or two small hits, then wait 10–15 minutes before deciding on more.
• Dry-herb vaporizer: the best way to taste the lemon. Lower temperatures around 350–375°F keep the citrus bright; going hotter brings out the diesel and the body effect.
• Pre-rolls: the no-prep option — see our THCA pre-rolls.
• Homemade edibles: decarb the flower first. Edibles take 30–120 minutes to kick in and last far longer, so start low and wait the full two hours.

How much? New or occasional users: one or two small hits, then wait 10–15 minutes — AllBud warns the potency can surprise people. Regular users usually find two or three hits delivers the full up-then-down arc. You can always add more; you can't take it back.

Medicinal Benefits

These are uses consumers report on Leafly and AllBud, not established clinical outcomes. Individual response varies with dose, tolerance and chemotype.

• Anxiety: about 25% of Leafly reviewers who reported a use — though "anxious" is also one of its top negatives, so dose matters.
• Low mood: about 21%; Canna Provisions calls it "a go-to for people with the blues."
• Stress: about 20%.
• Aches and appetite: AllBud users mention chronic pain, inflammation, fatigue and appetite; some reviewers use it to wind down for sleep.

For a plain-language primer on how terpenes are thought to shape these effects, see Project CBD on terpenes. Nothing here is medical advice, and nothing on this page is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you take prescription medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor before using any cannabis product.

Side Effects and Cautions

• Dry mouth and dry eyes — the most common complaints on Leafly.
• Anxiety — among Leafly's top negatives, mostly at higher doses or low tolerance.
• Dizziness and the munchies — Cannigma lists dizziness; several sources flag hunger.

Is Lemon Tree good for sleep? Not directly — it opens uplifting — but its relaxed comedown makes it a good late-afternoon strain before an early night. Don't drive after using it, and talk to your doctor first if you take prescription medication, are pregnant or nursing, or have a heart condition.

How to Judge a Good Bag of Lemon Tree

• The lemon should hit you before the bag is fully open. Faint citrus or plain earth means a weak cut or a poor cure.
• Lemon and diesel. A real Lemon Tree has gas and skunk under the citrus. Pure sweet lemon with no fuel may be a different strain.
• A current third-party COA naming the lab, with THCA, delta-9 and total THC. Don't be put off by a high-teens number — Lemon Tree is a flavor strain. Ours are on the lab results page.
• Frost and amber hairs on dark olive buds, with trichomes inside the bud, not just on top.
• A proper cure — hay or grass smell means it was rushed, and it kills the lemon first.

Growing Lemon Tree

Lemon Tree is considered manageable, but it's a tall grower that rewards training.

• Flowering: about 8–9 weeks indoors per Cannigma; Elev8's S1 lists 7–8 weeks.
• Yield: medium indoors and out per Cannigma; Elev8 lists its S1 as high-yielding, and one Leafly reviewer reports large yields.
• Height: it grows tall, so top and prune early (Cannigma); the S1 has low-to-medium stretch.
• Outdoors: handles warm, sunny climates and some cooler ones; harvest around October in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Seeds: the original circulates mainly as a clone cut (Elev8 calls it "hard to find"); feminized S1 seeds and other Lemon Tree lines are available from several seed banks.

Is Lemon Tree THCA Flower Legal?

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is federally legal when it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis — see the USDA hemp program. THCA flower is sold under that rule. State laws differ and are changing, so check your state before you order. And whatever the label says, THCA flower will show up on a drug test — heated, it is THC.

Shop Premium Flower at Diesel Hemp

• Dayglow Mousse THCA Flower — our bright citrus, sativa-leaning pick — the closest match to Lemon Tree's sunny lift.
• THCA Flower — the full lineup, grown in Colorado by Diesel Hemp and partner farms.
• THCA Pre-Rolls — the same flower, pre-rolled.
• THCA Small Buds — same genetics, smaller nugs, better price per gram.
• What THCA flower actually is — the encyclopedia explainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lemon Tree indica or sativa?

Lemon Tree is a balanced hybrid — AllBud lists it 50/50, and Leafly calls it balanced. It opens with an uplifting, euphoric head high and finishes relaxed in the body.

What is Lemon Tree a cross of?

Most sources list Lemon Skunk × Sour Diesel. Creekside has described it as Las Vegas Lemon Skunk × OG #18, so the gas side is disputed.

Why is the Lemon Tree strain famous?

For one of the loudest lemon noses in cannabis, and for placing second for Best U.S. Hybrid at the 2014 High Times Cannabis Cup in Seattle. Many sites say it won first — High Times' own results list it second, behind Vegamatrix.

Who bred Lemon Tree?

There's no documented breeder. Accounts credit California growers — one names a group from Santa Cruz — and the 2014 Cup entry came from Creek Side.

How strong is Lemon Tree?

Leafly lists 17% THC; AllBud and Canna Provisions say 20–25%. It's a moderate-to-strong hybrid, and AllBud warns it can surprise less experienced users.

What does Lemon Tree taste like?

Sour, zesty lemon on the inhale, then a smooth, sweet exhale with diesel, skunk, a peppery tea-like note and a dank, earthy finish.

What terpenes are in Lemon Tree?

Myrcene leads, followed by pinene and caryophyllene, with limonene lower down. Cannigma's lab averages show myrcene 0.85%, caryophyllene 0.35%, pinene 0.3% and limonene 0.18%.

What are the effects of Lemon Tree?

Users most often report feeling relaxed, happy and uplifted — a quick euphoric lift, then a mellow body buzz and often the munchies.

Is Lemon Tree good for anxiety?

About 25% of Leafly reviewers who reported a use mention anxiety, but 'anxious' is also one of its top negatives. Low doses are the safer approach.

What is the Lemon Tree S1 strain?

Lemon Tree crossed with itself — a 'selfed' feminized seed line, such as Elev8 Seeds' Lemon Tree S1, sold as indica-dominant with a 7–8 week flowering time.

How long does Lemon Tree take to flower?

About 8–9 weeks indoors, with outdoor harvests around October. It grows tall, so top it early.

Where can I buy Lemon Tree THCA flower online?

Lemon Tree isn't in the Diesel Hemp shop right now. For the same bright citrus lift, the closest match is Dayglow Mousse THCA Flower — a citrus-forward, sativa-leaning hybrid, from $29, third-party lab tested, with free shipping over $75. For a creamier, heavier lemon, try Lemon Cherry Gelato.

Related Strains

• Lemon Skunk — the citrus parent.
• Sour Diesel — the diesel parent.
• Gelonade — Lemon Tree × Gelato #41 — its best-known child.
• Lemon Diesel — the closest flavor twin.
• Lemon Haze — a brighter, haze-based lemon.
• Super Lemon Haze — the energetic lemon benchmark.
• Dayglow Mousse — bright citrus — our closest in-stock match.
• Lemon Cherry Gelato — lemon with a creamy dessert finish.
• Chemdawg — the family tree behind Sour Diesel's gas.
• Browse the Full Diesel Hemp Encyclopedia