In 2018, I first visited this grove of Reed avocados. The trees had been planted ten feet apart. In avocado-world parlance, they call that “high density” planting. Traditional tree spacing is more like twenty feet apart. But then the farmer further added a tree in between each tree to make the spacing only five feet apart within the row (but still ten feet apart between rows). We might call that “ultra high density.”
It was fascinating to see such an experimental planting in 2018, but where the most can be learned is in seeing such a planting after many years of growth and care.
Could avocado trees be sustained at such density? Would they continue fruiting? Would the fruit all be up high? Could you still walk between the trees?
Here in 2024, nine years after initial planting, and six years after the photo above was taken on my first visit, this is what the grove looks like:
You may have noticed that there is not much new crop on the trees compared to the voluminous mature crop. The harvest will be significantly smaller next year. Nick Krnich, the grove’s owner, told me that the trees were allowed to grow a little taller and keep a little extra fruit for this year’s harvest, and they will get a pruning immediately after harvest, which will happen within the next couple weeks.
Krnich was inspired to plant this grove of high-density Reed avocado trees by Reuben Hofshi, who unfortunately passed away this summer.
Watch a tribute to Reuben Hofshi here.
And visit my favorite of Reuben Hofshi’s creations, AvocadoSource, which is the most important source of information about avocados in the world.
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Thanks for the Reed orchard visit. 5 feet spacing – wow and a sigh of relief because most of my trees are between 5 and 7 feet spacing. I have some 1 and 2 feet apart, essentially 2 in a hole. Thinking they grow somewhat together with enough pruning to let some sun in, shading the ground in the summer and protecting each other in the winter. Still in the very young stage but growth and tree architecture is happening.
Hi Larry, I have Gems planted at 6′ and Reeds at 5′. They say sunlight only enters 2-3′ inside the canopy. My trees are still young and hope I get good results. The gems are a little wider than the reeds. Hoping to get 300 fruit from each tree when they get mature. Please let us know how yours are doing! Are you growing organic? I’ve started using an organic liquid fertilizer 4-4-5 which is showing better than the pellets that most growers are using down here. The pellets take 4-6wks. to break down depending on the temperature of the soil. The liquid that I’m using now is almost instant and seeing a big changer between both. I purchase the 2.5gal. size which works fine but have to get a small pump system in later. I’m also trying my luck growing Shiranui Mandarin and starting off with 9 sleeves. This summer 1′-2′ of growth in 3 month’s. The only reason for growing this variety is I had a chance to taste one and it was fantastic. So far the best tasting for my taste buds. You can pick and store the fruit enjoying eating them for up to 5 month’s. Good Luck!
Thank You
Joe Salemi
Do you mind sharing the fertilizer product name, Joe?
Hello Helen, The product is called AgroThrive organic, I’m using Fruit & Flower liquid fertilizer because it’s a tad higher in numbers. Last year I purchased 10 Reeds and 45 Gems in sleeves. These trees are growing like weeds in and out of native soil. Amazing how fast I’m getting new growth. You will have to experiment with this fertilizer and water consumption. There isn’t anything written in stone, it’s different everywhere. I try to get the best growth and yield from all of my trees and it is a science which makes it challenging! I’m 73yrs. of age and enjoy my little paradise in San Diego Ca. I live next to the airport downtown and have quite a bit of land to grow. If your interest in avacado’s I can send you a box of Fuerte’s and let me know how you like them. I start picking in late February depending on oil content. Been living here for 44yrs. and my 3 kids still think they are the best! Good Luck!!!
Hi Greg…when is the best time to prune an old, very productive Fuerte tree? My friend has this tree and he had an arborist (?) want to prune it the end of this month, because he is not busy then….the tree is loaded with fruit and will be ready to pick within the next month. I tried to convince my friend not to let this person prune it until after fruit is picked, but not sure if I was successful or not.
Hi Karen,
You are right that the best time to prune that Fuerte would be immediately after harvest, maybe in March, or at least after half the harvest, maybe in February. It would be a waste to prune it now.
Hi Greg,
Amazing grove! Could you share the approximate location of this property? I’m wondering about temperature/climate conditions.
As well, I am wondering what you think of the Hellen (assuming I can find one)? I’m trying to add a B to my Reed and Lamb. My Sharwill is just not happy and I’m going to have to remove it, which is very sad. Just the heat and lack of humidity, I think. I fear the thin skin of the Fuerte because I am seemingly plagued by rats. Where’s a pied piper when I need one?
Thanks much!
Cara in Pasadena
Hi Cara,
The grove is in Bonsall. It’s not quite as hot as Pasadena in the summer.
Hellen is a pretty tree and the avocados are big. They taste good; everyone I know who has tasted one likes it. The main downside is that the tree doesn’t seem to hold a crop well, at least in its early years. I don’t know any old Hellen trees, but I know some trees in the range of 5-10 years old and they aren’t as productive as I’d like. They sometimes set a good deal of fruit at first, but then the actual yield is not great because they drop many before harvest.
My own Hellen tree has not been a good producer after seven years in the ground. It happens to be next to my Reed and Lamb. I haven’t noticed an obvious increase in fruit on my Reed and Lamb with the Hellen adjacent, by the way. Those two produce very well without a B type nearby, in my experience in my yard and elsewhere.
If I were you, I would add a third variety based more on its season (not summer-fall) and other attributes (fruit production, fruit quality) and go with an A-flower variety if it fits the bill.
I wish I could send over my cats to rid your yard of rats!
Thank you, Greg, for your response and your invaluable advice about the Hellen. I would not have known any of these important attributes! And, yes, perhaps I should just give up on my B/extra productivity idea. It’s just that the rats so decimate my harvests! My neighbors do not pick up the fruit dropped on the ground from their many trees — hence the rats. I went out the other day to find every one of my large winter squash (just about ready to be freed from the vine) hollowed out to their shells! Sometimes it’s hard to keep the faith….
Thanks again, Greg. Enjoy this lovely weather!
Got my first YARD post today. Met you at Eli’s farm the other day. Just want to thank you for providing such informative and interesting information. Really enjoy your posts and your you tube posts.
Hi Steve,
Glad to have met you. Hope your new trees are in the ground now and growing well!
Abandon Hellen, all you who posteth here. She can’t spell. 😆
Thank you for the name of Reuben hofchi. What a renaissance man, and the AvocadoSource is a remarkable, rich legacy. I’m sad he is departed.
Almost all 8 of our avos are grown within 5 feet of another. Most closer. This blog has been a window into proper planting and care, and I can’t blame the spacing on our poor crops. Ironic that we came home from vacation to our best—finally “normal”—crop of hass being scorched by the September heat, which we escaped while away. We will still enjoy more fruit than we ever have in 10 years of living here.
Sorry: Reuben Hofshi
Hi Greg, have been reading your post on avocados. Live in Laguna Niguel and have a 50 yr old Fuerte tree. The tree is 25 by 25 ft. I just bought a 6 foot has 15 gal trying to decide how close to put it…best spot do to my view is 40 ft trunk to trunk. But sounds like maybe that’s to far apart. Any suggestions if you would be so kind…thanks
Hi Terry, I would love to know if your Fuerte produces fruit? Sounds like you have a beautiful tree. I just planted ayoung 5 gallon Fuerte in Dana Point, I think I better give mine a bit more room, I planted it probably too close (~6 feet) to our fence. If I give it more space then perhaps my future grandkids can climb on it. thanks for sharing. Robin
Hi Terry,
The spacing depends on your needs. If you want maximum cross-pollination potential, then having the canopies touching (eventually) is best. But that’s not necessary.
I would just think of how big you want the new Hass to get ultimately and plan for that. At 40 feet apart, trunk to trunk, you can allow the Hass to get 30 feet wide (15 feet on the Fuerte side). You could easily keep the Hass pruned to half that size if you wanted also.
I’m looking to plant a high density orchard in Chico California (zone 9a). I’ve got Duke seedlings I was thinking of planting in 10×10 spacing and then graft onto these. After seeing this post I’m tempted to try the 5×10 spacing.
I’d like to try Reed/Haas, but I think I might need to find something more cold/heat tolerant like Bacon/Pinkerton.
Curious if you have any suggestions on cultivars to use for the high density strategy in a colder climate (9a).