Avocado trees are a beloved source of the ever-popular, creamy fruit. But how big do these trees grow to be?
The most common type of avocado tree is the Hass Tree, named after their founder, Rudolph Hass. They are deep-rooted trees, reaching up to 40 feet in height and can even spread out for up to 25 feet.
Hass avocado trees require regular pruning and training to ensure they keep their shape and not get too big. In addition, as these trees can reach such heights, they require plenty of space to grow. Avocado trees can also take up to 4 years to begin producing fruit.
When in full bloom, avocado trees are a sight to see. The vivid green foliage provides a lush, natural background to the attractive, large-sized fruit. Despite being so large, the fruit is incredibly lightweight, sometimes weighing as little as 6 ounces – this is why they can carry the weight of large branches.
Avocados are high in vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fat. The nutritional content of avocados also makes them a healthy snack for aiding in weight loss, blood sugar control and heart health. Which is why avocados are sometimes referred to as the “perfect health food.”
Although avocado trees can reach 40 feet in height, this is at their upper limit. Experienced growers suggest avocado trees will reach a medium size of 25–30 feet when not pruned or trained. This height is perfect for a small or medium garden.
While avocados can grow anywhere, they require specific climates to thrive. Avocados prefer temperatures between 65°F and 70°F, with an average rainfall of 15-inches per season. Areas such as South America, California, Mexico, Florida and Australia all provide the correct conditions for avocado trees to thrive.
Requirements for Growing an Avocado Tree
Growing an avocado tree requires patience and effort as well as specific conditions. When planting your tree, make sure the soil is fertile enough, with good drainage. Also, that it receives plenty of sunlight and irrigation. Producing avocado fruit will depend on the type of tree you select, as certain varieties take longer to produce fruits than others.
Like any other fruit tree, the avocado tree requires more care against pests and diseases due to its size. Bad weather, low temperatures and high humidity can easily cause damage to the tree. Regular pruning and thinning out of the canopy will also help in keeping the tree healthy and producing an abundance of fruit.
Often, avocado diseases are caused by incorrect watering. This can lead to root rot, a fungus that causes yellowing and curling of the leaves, weakening the tree in the process.
Continuous waterings can also cause over-fertilization. Other potential problems include the presence of scale insects, aphids, and mites. Pruning infected branches and the application of insecticides are important tools to combat these.
Harvesting Avocado Fruits
Harvesting avocado fruits takes place in the first months of the year. Some trees will take up to 4 years to begin producing fruits and it is essential to be patient and wait for it to reach full maturity. Averagely, it takes 6 months of growth for the avocado fruit to ripe.
While picking the fruit, it is important not to pinch into the avocado skin. Fruit that is cut during the harvesting process will be unsuitable for commercial sale. Experts suggest tying a cloth around the fruit when picking it from the tree and gently removing the avocados from the branch.
Also, while the fruit may look ready, if the avocado is green it will be immature and unsuitable for eating. This can be determined by lightly squeezing it – if it is not ready, the skin will be hard. The fruit should be left to ripe until it is firm but yields to slight pressure.
Storing Avocado Fruits
To maximize the shelf life of avocados it is important to store them correctly. Storing ripened avocados between 45°F and 52°F will help them to maintain their quality and prevent them from spoiling. Also, the lower the temperature, the slower the ripening process.
When refrigerated, avocado fruits may still be consumable for weeks or even months. To avoid lumps or a slimy texture, avocado fruits can be cooked for a few minutes, or stored in airtight containers.
In some parts of the world, avocados are available all year round, while in others, they are seasonal and difficult to find outside of certain times of the year. In areas with short harvesting seasons, it is important to take advantage of their availability and preserve avocados for future use.
Eating Avocados
Besides the classic guacamole dip, avocados can be enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, smoothies and other savory dishes. They can also be made into desserts such as cakes and mousses. The creamy texture of avocados make it a great ingredient for savory and sweet dishes.
When cutting avocados, it’s important to pay attention to the ripeness of the fruit. A little blackening around the edge of the avocado does not mean it is no good. The blackening is natural and the healthiest avocados will have spots on the outer skin.
Cutting into the avocado immediately after purchase can damage the fruit. Therefore, storage is key when eating avocados: they should be kept in a plastic bag and refrigerated to remain fresh and protect them from being over ripe.
Avocado Benefits
Avocado is undoubtedly one of the healthiest foods available. The creamy texture and sweet flavor make it a unique ingredient for savory and sweet dishes.
Avocado is rich in several important vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium. The fruits also contain a range of heart-healthy fats that can help keep cholesterol levels within a healthy range.
For those looking to adopt healthier eating habits, avocados are an excellent choice. Adding avocado to salads and sandwiches can provide an additional layer of health benefits, including fiber and dietary fiber, which can help promote a healthy digestive system. The fruit can even be added to meals to add flavor and texture.
Avocado benefits go well beyond nutrition, they can also improve skin health. Because of their high level of fatty acids and vitamins, avocados are able to reduce inflammation, relieve dry skin and act as a moisturizer. This can also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, and age spots.
Conclusion
Avocado trees are a beloved source of the ever-popular, creamy fruit. While it can be difficult to create the perfect conditions for these trees to thrive, the result can be worth it. Depending on the variety and where you’re growing them, these trees can reach heights of 40 feet and the bonus of these trees are that the avocados they produce are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients – making them the perfect health food.
