Leaf & Fruit
An avocado tree, when fully-grown, can reach a height of up to 80 feet and spread up to 70 feet wide. It has glossy, evergreen foliage that is medium-textured, dark-green in color with a faint yellow tint, and oval or egg-shaped leaves. Its long waxy leaves have gray-green undersides, and the trees are known to be very durable in young age, and can cope well with drought and frost. Once mature, the tree produces fragrant flowers that grow in clusters, typically in white or pale yellow hues. The flowers are perfect hermaphroditic, or self-fertilizing, which allows for a single tree to produce avocados.
Tree Characteristics
Avocado trees have a thick trunk that can be up to 2 feet wide, and its dense drooping branches are well known to contain many leaves at once. The tree has wispy bark that clings to it in larger, shaggy curls, and is generally lighter in color than a standard evergreen. The wood of the avocado tree has a low density and is fragile and prone to breaking. The branches of a fully grown tree usually have a lean towards the sun, but they can be trained to grow horizontally if needed.
Growth Habits
The growth of the avocado tree is slow to start with, but can get very large in size and eventually reach heights of up to 80 feet. The tree is semi-tropical and will need as much sun, water and soil nutrients as possible to ensure it reaches its potential. An avocado tree, when grown in optimal conditions, will begin to bear fruit anywhere from 4 to 8 years from the time of planting. When properly fertilized and watered, the tree could live for 15 years or more and produce fruit until the very end.
Soil & Harvesting
Avocado trees need to be planted in areas with well-draining soil, ideally with a pH of 6.5 or higher. They thrive in temperate climates with high humidity, and do best when temperatures are between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the entire year. These trees have a high sensitivity to cold, so they need protection if the temperatures dip lower than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avocados are harvested during the summer months and are best picked when they are slightly soft.
Care & Maintenance
Avocado trees require regular pruning and maintenance in order to reach their potential. The tree needs to be trimmed back twice per year, in the spring and fall, to encourage new growth and to thin out overcrowded branches. During cold months, it is important to water the tree twice a month and prune away any dead or diseased branches. Fertilizing the tree with a special avocado fertilizer is essential to ensure it produces healthy fruit and encourages robust growth.
Life Span & Fruit
Avocado trees are known to have a long lifespan, as long as they are properly taken care of. With proper care and maintenance, a fully grown avocado tree can live up to 15 years or more, bearing fruit until its very last year. Fully grown avocado trees produce a wide range of fruits, ranging from Haas to Fuerte and from Zutano to Bacon. Whatever variety you choose, an avocado tree, when fully grown, is a sight to behold.
Pollination & Flowers
Avocado trees are hermaphroditic, or self-pollinating, which allows them to produce fruit without the help of other trees. The flowers on the tree are perfect, meaning they have both the male and female reproductive organs, and the process of self-pollination takes place when the pollen from the anther enters the stigma. In order for this process to take place, it is optimal that the tree has several blooming buds, so an expert avocado tree pruner might advise pruning away any flowers that are not producing fruit.
Additional Factors
Apart from the growing of an avocado tree, there are other factors at play that determine the quality of its fruit. A full grown tree will require the professional services of an orchardist who can accurately prune and fertilize the tree, as well as provide adequate pest-control measures. Other environmental conditions must also be taken into consideration, such as soil pH and sufficient water, as well as proper temperature for the tree, for an avocado tree to produce its finest fruit.
Pest & Disease Control
When grown in optimal conditions and given necessary care, an avocado tree is resistant to many pests and diseases. However, pests such as larvae and aphids can still cause damage to the fruit and leaves. It is important to inspect the plant regularly, and in the case of lice or insects, use a one-time insecticide spray to dispatch of them quickly and safely. Additionally, the tree must be monitored for any diseases such as stem canker and root rot to avoid any long term damage to the tree.
Harvest & Storage
Once the fruits have matured and are ripe, they must be harvested and stored correctly in order to maintain their freshness. An avocado tree will bear fruits from 4 to 8 years from the time of planting and will produce a large number of fruits within this timeframe. The avocados should be harvested with care, as to not damage the trees’ branches or leaves, and the freshly picked fruits must be stored in temperatures between 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal keeping.
Nutrition & Culinary Uses
The amazing flavors and nutrients contained in avocados have made them a desired culinary staple around the world. The combination of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients makes avocados an excellent source of nutrition, which has led to their widespread use in many dishes. Avocados can be used in salads, sandwiches, juices, smoothies and even desserts and are commonly served with salsa, guacamole, and other dips. The fruit can also be pureed and used as a base for many recipes, such as sauces and dips, as well as baking and cooking.
Environmental Impact
Apart from the direct nutritional benefits of avocados, they also have a positive environmental impact. Avocados are typically free from pesticides and other chemicals, and are grown in organic soil. They require less water than other fruit crops, making them less susceptible to the consequences of water shortages and climate change. Avocado trees also absorb carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants, which makes them effective carbon sinks.
