I planted a dwarf avocado in 1999. The tree is now 25 feet tall and has never borne fruit, what shall I do?
Avocado trees in small nursery containers usually begin to flower three to five years after they are planted. Several conditions can interfere with fruit set. Flowers may be damaged by frost or honeybees may not be present to pollinate the flowers. Insufficient soil moisture can also prevent fruit from setting or cause it to drop. Soil beneath an avocado tree should not be allowed to dry completely, especially when they are flowering and setting fruit. Avocados have shallow feeder roots which are most abundant in the top 6 inches of soil. It is usually best to water avocado trees with sprinkler irrigation about twice a week during dry weather if the trees are growing in from near the trunk to several feet from the spread of the branches. Also allow fallen leaves to remain on the soil under the tree or apply a layer of woodchips or other coarse mulch to conserve moisture. Avocado trees should be given a fertilizer containing nitrogen periodically during the spring and summer.
