Avocado trees are a fun addition to any garden or backyard. Not only do they provide delicious fruit, but they also make for attractive landscaping with their lush green foliage. However, like any other tree, avocado trees require proper care and maintenance to thrive. One of the most important aspects of avocado tree care is pruning.
Pruning an avocado tree helps it grow stronger, healthier and more productive over time. It’s especially important to prune young avocado trees as it sets them up for future success by removing weak or damaged growths that could stunt its growth in the long run.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how to properly prune a young avocado tree.
When should you prune your young Avocado Tree?
It’s best to start pruning your young avocado tree during its first year of growth while it’s still establishing itself. You will want it shaped from the beginning so that you can direct its growth towards optimal fruit production in years 2-3 onwards.
Keep in mind; don’t be too aggressive when pruning at first as cutting back too much foliage can harm the new growth on your Avocado Tree. It is essential not to remove more than one-third of the plant mass per season until established
The right tools for Pruning Young Avocado Trees
Before you begin pruning your young avocado tree, ensure that you have all necessary tools required – this includes:
A pair of sharp bypass hand pruners
A handsaw (for thicker branches)
Disinfectant spray or rubbing alcohol (to sterilize blades between cuts)
Gardening gloves
Eye protection gear (optional)
How To Prune A Young Avocado Tree: A Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Remove dead Wood
Start by checking for any deadwood within the canopy – these are branches without leaves or flexible tissue showing signs of decay if left unchecked will lead further into healthy branches later on.
You may use your hand pruners or handsaw to remove these branches.
Step 2: Remove any low hanging branches
Removing low hanging branches helps maintain the tree’s height and prevents it from spreading too wide. It also makes for easy access when harvesting your ripe fruit.
Step 3: Thin out inner growths
Thinning out the inner canopy will ensure proper airflow through the tree, allowing sunlight to penetrate into all parts of the avocado plant. This will reduce fungal diseases caused by moisture-trapped in areas with poor ventilation.
Step 4: Trim back tips of young shoots
Trimming back the tips of young shoots helps stimulate branching and lateral growth, which is essential in setting up productive branching architecture that avocados need to produce healthy fruit-bearing buds.
It’s important not to over-prune as this could lead to stunted growth and reduced yields down the line. Remember only one third per season until established.
Conclusion:
Pruning a young avocado tree may seem daunting at first, but with some patience and care, you can help set up your Avocado Tree for many years of healthy production resulting in delicious fruits every year! Follow our step-by-step guide above while using appropriate tools for pruning; proper technique results in fewer cuts needed overall (reducing stress on your Tree) while promoting healthier budding structures leading towards optimal crop production!
Remember if you have any doubts about how much or what type should be removed consult an arborist or horticulturist nearby who can assist you further!
