Strong Santa Ana winds blew through my yard yesterday, which revealed whether my young avocado trees had proper support. I shot video for you:
A few related posts:
“How to plant and stake avocado trees”
“Training young avocado trees”
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I got those green plastic over metal posts from Home Depot, some have lasted over 15 years on several different plants. They rust slowly from ends. OK for my small yard, but maybe not economical for your large one.
In the wind, a big limb fell off a liquidamber rotundaloba and fell right on top of two-year old Pinkerton. Bent the stem to the ground. But it didn’t snap. I righted it and it’s thriving with flower buds in January, which seems weird.
I see the wire around the trees for mounding the trunk. I did that with my Gem following your advice. It’s doing great, but when should I remove the wire around the base?
Do you have any recommendations for staking avocado trees once they are much taller?
Our Reed is quite tall (10-12 ft) and has started leaning quite a bit. We staked the tree when it was young, but it got harder as it got taller! The tree is fairly straight until it reaches 6 ft, and then it starts leaning. I removed all avocados on the side that it is leaning towards and also tried to shorten some branches to help reduce weight on that side.
Any tips for helping straighten it out? Thanks!!
Hi Kristi,
This is a challenge for Reeds. I’ve experienced it with my Reed and seen it on other Reed trees too. As they get taller, stakes become less capable of keeping them straight and upright.
The only long-term solution is to continually shorten and lighten (thin fruit) the leaning branch so that it eventually becomes thick and strong enough to maintain its position and hold a heavy crop. Also, over time, a new branch or two is likely to sprout at the apex of where it is bending, and this new branch or two will gradually balance the tree.
In the meantime, be sure to prop the branch from below if necessary also.
The branch itself will never straighten out, but the tree as a whole will become balanced, symmetrical, and strong eventually. And from the outside, the canopy will look balanced and upright.
Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. 🙂 Thanks so your insight- I was getting disheartened that I had messed up the shape of the our Reed tree. I will try your suggestions!