How to Prune an Avocado: [Avocado Tree Pruning Guide]

Avocado is a lovely tree with bright green leaves and delicious fruits very healthy that are pear-shaped.

It is a tree of vigorous growth not suitable for small gardens that comes from three races : the Mexican, the Antillean and the Guatemalan.

In this article we show you all the important points for pruning an avocado tree Prepared?

Why prune avocado?

Avocado pruning is recommended after fruit set and when the spring vegetative shoot has finished its growth.

Heavy pruning should only be done to shape the tree , and avoid pests and a negative impact on the tree .

Pruning is the care that we must give to the avocado tree to guarantee the supply of its fruits for years.

To go deeper: How to fertilize the avocado.

What is the best date to prune it?

The ideal dates are the spring and early summer to avoid negative impact.

This, because if we can the tree in autumn and winter , we are exposing it to cold and freezing temperatures.

During the spring , we stimulate general growth ; During the summer , the growth length is encouraged , as it will grow taller and wider.

What important points should you keep in mind when pruning it?

The avocado does not need you to prune it too much because the production of its fruits needs a lot of foliage.

However, it is important to do minimal pruning to keep it balanced, have easy access to the tree, and expose it to the sun.

Of course, if the tree has to be shaped, the pruning must be intense.

Pruning shears

For this, you must have the appropriate tools , such as Pruning shears less than 25 mm (one inch) in diameter, But you can also use special scissors made specifically for avocado trees that have rounded tips to avoid damaging the fruits.

To cut the branches that are more than 25 mm thick, a two-handed pruner should be used.

This tool must be sharpened frequently because it is perfect for removing large branches , especially on the base.

Gloves

Also important protect your skin with gloves, Wear appropriate clothing (old clothes, jeans, that you don’t mind getting dirty) and a cap or wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck from the sun.

Stairs

It is important to use a sturdy ladder to access the tree and, if necessary, ask for the help of another person to hold it, seeking to maintain balance.

How should we prune the avocado tree? (Step by Step)

Once the previous steps have been completed, we proceed to disinfect the tools that you will use in pruning ; These should be in a nearby place to avoid trips to and from the garage or tool shed , which will do nothing but waste time.
Tools can transmit fungi , and bacteria between trees, so they must be cleaned after each pruning.
To do this, you must fill a spray bottle with bleach or alcohol to disinfect them before you start pruning the next tree.
In pruning, you must cut the tall branches to create kind of small windows in the crown , for the entry of the sun and the wind.
However, do not create many open areas that can expose the tree to strong sunlight ; in this sense, a conical or pyramidal shape is better so that the plant is exposed to the sun in a uniform way.
If the branches of the tree are tangled with those of another , or if they prevent you from pruning or irrigating the area , it is appropriate to work the sides of the tree using the two-handed pruner.
You must be careful with intense pruning , because pruning too much could have consequences contrary to the objectives sought , as you could permanently stop the fruit growth of the tree.
It is important to keep the symmetry in the cuts ; That is why it is important to keep a record of the branches cut on one side to cut the same number on the other side , to balance the weight of the tree.
A larger cut on one side could tip the tree , which will sway unevenly , making it more susceptible to high winds and harsh climates.
The upper branches must be gradually eliminated to control the height, as there are trees that do not have strong roots to stay tall.
But you shouldn’t worry because this process should take about four years during which slow but steady treatment will help reduce stress on the tree. Withered branches must be cut from the base.
It is not advisable to apply fertilizer after intense pruning , since the idea of pruning is precisely the natural growth of the plant.
The tree should only be pruned to the trunk if it needs rejuvenation; rejuvenation will guarantee fruit production in subsequent years.
But if it is a very sunny area it is important to apply a layer of white latex paint diluted with water on the cuts, to protect them from the sun.
Rejuvenation pruning is not recommended for those who are inexperienced , as poorly done it can kill the tree ; It is advisable to go to a professional to do it.
If deemed necessary, preventive pruning can be done to avoid heavy pruning , cutting tips in areas where you don’t want new branches to grow.
After pruning, the tree may not produce large amounts of avocados, but over time it will because its growth will be healthy.