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Do gopher baskets work?

by Greg Alder | Jun 12, 2026 | Pests | 1 comment

Do they actually protect a tree’s roots from being munched by gophers? And once the tree is big, do gopher baskets not girdle the tree’s roots?

Here are some avocado trees planted in a yard riddled with gophers that indicate the answers:

I would still think of planting a fruit tree in a gopher basket as an insurance policy and not a perfect barrier to gopher damage. In other words, I would still trap even if I planted in gopher baskets. But from what I’ve seen, in general, they work. And if I didn’t feel confident in my trapping skills or couldn’t be vigilant enough, I would definitely plant any special fruit trees in gopher baskets in a yard where gophers reside.

(As I should have done with this special tree ten years ago!)

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1 Comment

Christine Willis on June 12, 2026 at 9:49 am

One of my two avocado trees produced a wonderful crop this year, but now it is losing leaves. I see what I believe to be new leaves coming. Is this normal?
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I'm Greg. My goal is to help you grow food at home, with a focus on vegetables and fruits -- especially avocados -- in Southern California. I write a new "Yard Post" every Friday.

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