Avocado tree dying (forum)

Hyoruki starts with ...
Hi to anyone that can help. We moved into a new home at the beginning of last year with an avocado tree in the backyard. From talking to the previous owners it seems like its a good 20 years old now (if not more).

We recently had the backyard paved over with new bricks leaving a small opening (it used to be within a small garden bed of exposed earth about the size of where the image cuts off and then beyond that will be a brick ground similar to whats there now but chipped and cracked) to allow for the avocado tree to come through instead of chopping it down entirely. But we've noticed that after covering up the ground around the base of the tree the avocados that grow from it have been smaller than the previous year's and the foliage has begun to wilt. I'm considering ripping up the surrounding brickwork to save the tree if that's the cause.

We've don't really known how to take care of the tree, we usually give it whatever fertilizer workers at gardening stores like bunnings recommend and water it at its base on a daily basis so can anybody help us with why its starting to wilt and possibly how to take care of it in the long term please? Thanks!


Time: 10th February 2018 8:21pm

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About the Author Hyoruki
Sydney
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Hyoruki says...

Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 10th February 2018 8:23pm

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Hyoruki

Your avo is slowly declining because it is constricted by the paving around it. Normally we don't put fertilizer and water at or too near the trunk of a mature tree.
Mature trees are watered in or near their drip line. Drip line is the area defined by outermost circumference of a tree canopy where water drips from and onto the ground. That's where your drip irrigation should be placed. But in your case you covered the avos drip line depriving it of water and nutrients. Avocados are heavy drinkers especially when they are fruiting. They need at least 40-45 minutes of drip irrigation every week during fruit production time to reach their full potential. Why the watering is longer, because the feeders roots are situated between 12-18 inches below the ground. Less water means less and smaller fruit. The only way to save your tree is to dismantle the pavers up to the end of the avos drip line and install irrigation system around the drip line. Fertilizer should also be added on or around the drip line.

Happy Gardening :-)

Time: 12th February 2018 7:12pm

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Original Post was last edited: 12th February 2018 7:34pm

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jakfruit etiquette says...
I would lift up some pavers and see if it is too wet or too dry underneath, also it may be too well sealed ie no air to the soil. Avo's like water but not cold damp soil or waterlogged soil. They like compost and organic matter in the soil.
Yes, I would make the open circle around the trunk bigger.

Time: 13th February 2018 9:36pm

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vic
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Markmelb says...
I feel alot of tge surface feeder roots were severely damaged in removing material to fit the paving in - make a 2mt dia circle and heavily mulch with compost & dried grass clippings 50/50 mixed together not seperately.

Time: 14th February 2018 1:15pm

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