Advice needed - avocado tree

[tiffany duke]

Hi there,

I recently moved to a house that has an avocado tree in the backyard. I've attached some photos, can anyone tell me - is it doing ok? What can I do help maintain the tree? Is it a good idea to add fresh soil, fertilizer, and mulch to the base of the tree? Thanks so much!

 

[Chuck]

You need to have an arborist come and look at it. From the pictures it looks like the tree is in decline.

 

[tiffany duke]

Is there anyway to salvage an avocado tree in decline?

 

[Chuck]

Is there anyway to salvage an avocado tree in decline?

Not really. Trees are just like people. They get old and tired, worn out, prone to disease and then the inescapable, death. You could take cuttings and have a clone of the tree. You would have fruit in 6-8 years.

 

[tiffany duke]

Is this how to clone?

 

[TomatoTango]

It’s almost always a good idea to add mulch, fertilizer, and compost/aged manure/soil to a tree’s base. But most especially if the tree looks like that. If the tree is in decline it may give you another few years of fruit with proper care. If it’s just in a temporary slump, a dose of micronutrients and fertilizer could completely turn the tree around. It looks lonely to me, either way.