The peel color develops slowly after fruit maturity and does not peak until the fruit is nearly over-mature. Degreening the fruit often results in post-harvest problems and is one of the reasons the variety has never been commercially successful. The fruit shape is somewhat flattened, as is typical with most tangerines and their hybrids. Commercial maturity in most years is attained in November-December. They have rather dense foliage borne on nearly thornless branches.
Leaves are medium-sized and lanceolate in shape.
The earliness of the fruit would allow harvest in most years before the danger of damaging cold. While the Lee may not ever be commercially important in Florida, it is worthy of consideration in small plantings and certainly for dooryards. The fruit do not respond well to degreening. Nearby pollenizer trees may help productivity. Orlando, Page and Temple seem to do well.