How We Rescue Avocado Trees Dying From Laurel Wilt

Laural Wilt is deadly to avocado trees. Avocado farmers fight a daily battle against this horrible disease. If you think your backyard tree has Laural Wilt try one or more of the techniques I discuss in this video.
Get your avocados at: www.guacfarm.com

[@danjackson2987]

When a patch of trees are infected and you remove them to stop the spread of disease do you have to dig up the roots before you replant? Or maybe wait a few years for said roots to break down and decompose?

[@SleepyLizard]

Dig up and burn or shred.

[@miguelschoedel7691]

Another great video

[@nenaelliott8058]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@SleepyLizard]

you're welcome Nena

[@mwikakalima24]

2:53... Good news Indeed ☺️

[@SleepyLizard]

I agree

[@Haroldo_]

Awesome video! Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge

[@SleepyLizard]

Thank you Haroldo

[@allyk7476]

I have a Laurel Wilt problem with my Catalina avocado tree. I live in Homestead, Fl and the 30 plus foot tree is over 20 years old that I planted from a seed. My husband cut the tree back to about 7 feet. It has started growing new shoots. I got so excited just to know it is thriving .I noticed one of the new branches has the dried up brown leaves so the disease is still within the tree. Thanks for this video and for giving me a little hope.

[@SleepyLizard]

good luck Ally.

[@frozenstone1787]

Thanks for sharing. 🥑🥑God Bless 🙏❣🙃

[@NKanhai20]

Thanks for helping me know

[@SleepyLizard]

you're welcome Drip

[@lounce777]

Thank you!

[@Avo7bProject]

Unfortunately, laurel wilt is not a solely tropical problem. It has spread into the upper southeast (TN and KY) because it will live on native sassafrass.

[@SleepyLizard]

yep and it's heading south and west also.

[@jamebun258]

i have been using copper fungicide . dish soap and water . neem oil . the avocado tree looked like it was recovering then wilt came on two branches cut them to the stump . this avocado provided like 200 avocados from 2015 to 2019 . 2017 was the hurricane wilma . only 100 avocados the other half was on the floor. from 2020 to 2023 - no avocados.

[@SleepyLizard]

wow, what a bummer

[@victorsaucedo8397]

Awesome video

[@SleepyLizard]

thanks Victor

[@claimhsolais3466]

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences and your thoughts upon the topic Sir. I just wanted to ask if you're aware of any resilient rootstock for Raffaelea lauricola. I believe there have been developed some in the US, but they're not available as of yet elsewhere.

[@SleepyLizard]

oh man, sorry I have no idea.

[@dmatcardoug2986]

Great informative video Tom. What, if anything, can be done to the root structure underground? Are you aware of any developments in the treatment of Laurel Wilt? Good that you can now replant new trees of your choice. Also, are any varieties resistant to the disease? Thanks Tom and I dearly wish that you will not have any further difficulties with this disease! Stay well.

[@SleepyLizard]

Hi Doug, They tried cutting trenches to break the root grafts but it doesn't work. There's some sprays and some varieties that appear to be stronger but there's no "cure" per se.

[@dmatcardoug2986]

@@SleepyLizard Oh no Tom!!! That’s definitely not good! Well let us hope that the researchers will be able to come up with something in the near future! Anyway, loved what you are doing with the replanting!

[@Ingeanous]

Good to know, or 25ft(ish) avacado tree went over during hurricane Ian. I cut it back to about 10ft and was able to pull it back up and brace it. Hopefully it will come back.

[@SleepyLizard]

it should come back. make sure to flood the base with water to get all the air bubbles out of the soil.

[@Ingeanous]

@@SleepyLizard Thanks, I added top soil and washed it into the voids two weeks ago and it seems it will be OK since there are some new buds and nubs starting to emerge.

[@Ingeanous]

@@SleepyLizard The tree is proped up securely, maybe just a few degrees off of normal straight. New soil filled in all around with a little mulch atop.... it is putting out all sorts of new growthes and leaves....Seems it will recover quickly. Looking forward to guacamole next year if she recovers nicely. Also seen alot of honey bees around with the Floriday pusley comeing into bloom; Don't know if that will help, but like seeing some bees around.

[@lounce777]

I have avocado trees growing inside 25 gallon planters. Now, Japanese Clover is growing in the soil around the trunk base in each planter. Is this dangerous to the avocado trees, or does the clover act more like mulch?

[@SleepyLizard]

I think it’s best if nothing is growing in the park with your avocado because whatever is there a growing is soaking up all the water and nutrition that you would rather go toward your tree

[@Bonniebrubeckjeter]

No Laurel Wilt on Cape Cod…yet.

[@SleepyLizard]

good.

[@ckoch990]

So what does laurel wilt look like? I have a sprouted avocado seed and it looks like it has sort of a flower, but it’s doing nothing.

[@SleepyLizard]

it's quite rare to find laurel wild in young trees...it usually hits 14 year old trees or older. young trees tend to look like they're doing nothing but they might be growing roots underground where you can't see.

[@Visionery1]

Interesting! So no more trenches in future. 👍

[@SleepyLizard]

Yes. We need to use a combination of methods to fight this invasive critter.

[@marklazarus2584]

Did you have to treat the soil?

[@SleepyLizard]

No. You gotta pull up and burn or shred all the roots.

[@JJLom777]

It affects Spicebush and Sassafras as well. So, if it ever does come to the northern states, there are a lot of woodland species that are going to be in even worse trouble than they already are. Not good.

[@SleepyLizard]

yep

[@mozee01]

great videos. I have to ask u. I have a haas avacado i grew from a seed and it got to about 2 ft in the pot and all of a sudden the leaves wilted and fell off. Now the plant is still there with a healthy trunk but no leaf growth what so ever. What can I do to promote leaf growth at this situation. Ty so much

[@SleepyLizard]

Put in a bigger pot

[@mozee01]

@@SleepyLizard idk about that. Its a different issue but thanks

[@SleepyLizard]

@@mozee01 ok

[@frasercoastfoodforest3092]

I hope we don't get laural wilt in Australia. sounds nasty. thanks again mate

[@edan2919]

Haha cheers up! Good work mate, i got the solution and the cause... but 1 question. How do u know if it's this infection or not?

[@SleepyLizard]

Hi Ed, the leaves start to droop and rapidly turn brown and you can see the burrow holes and sawdust from the beetles.

[@edan2919]

@@SleepyLizard got it! Thanks alot

[@jolus6678]

So that tree you cut down wasn't grafted ?

[@SleepyLizard]

Jolus, yes, it was a grafted tree.

[@frostylonewolf1700]

idk why i'm upset i guess cuz they put chemicals in food for grocery stores and why do i fuss about it idk i guess cuz i'm upset at companies using chemicals and i'd much prefer to eat foods that is organic

[@juniorundersea]

hi ,i have my avocado tree with holes in every leaf,the problem is that is a full grown tree ,very tall tree,how can i threat it to kill the pest infestation? .i cant spray it because the height of the tree ,what can i do ? .i think the pest is mites ,spider mites very small ,dark brown and shiny and round like a pearl.

[@SleepyLizard]

Spray is your only option. You may need to get a tall ladder or something

[@juniorundersea]

@@SleepyLizard and a drench ? .i see it in another post after ask my question here in your video ..ok thanks ..i will cut the top of the tree ,at the end i cant get the avocados on the top section and they fall to the ground .

[@RareAvoTrees]

Very sad what a horrible disease.

[@SleepyLizard]

yeah I took out three trees this week 😥

[@RareAvoTrees]

@@SleepyLizard wish you luck hope it doesn't hurt your production too much.

[@SleepyLizard]

@@RareAvoTrees thank you. downside has been reduced production. Upside has been the opportunity to replace with other types of fruit.

[@sampieresonoroeno5263]

How many times a month do you mown your farm?

[@SleepyLizard]

Every two weeks in the rainy season. Every six weeks when it’s dry. I don’t want the weeds up there sucking up all the nutrients and water from my fruit

[@sampieresonoroeno5263]

One more question , can a avocado tree grow on clay soil?

[@SleepyLizard]

@@sampieresonoroeno5263 you'd have to make a mix that allows for better drainage than clay.

[@jhadj]

Is this common in the eastern Mediterranean? I have trees here and don't want this fungus

[@SleepyLizard]

I don't think so. If it was you'd know about it. Also the beetle might have natural predators over there.

[@jhadj]

@@SleepyLizard thanks. I appreciate your help, these are my avocados so far because of u kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3_OYoWNiNt5o7c

[@elimoses2732]

WILL NEEM OIL HELP ???

[@SleepyLizard]

Hi Eli, No, they've not found anything that is effective yet. There are some treatments that slow it down but I wouldn't say they are effective nor cost efficient.

[@santiagogomez7941]

When are you gonna have avocados available?

[@SleepyLizard]

Santiago, We'll have them by next week. I'm hoping even by end of this week but that damn tropical storm cost us a few days productivity.

[@dantheman6931]

What kind of avocados are going to be shipping?

[@SleepyLizard]

Santiago, we've begun picking. You can order avocados now if you want. www.guacfarm.com

[@SleepyLizard]

@@dantheman6931 Dan, right now we are shipping Donnie. Simmonds will be next in a few weeks.

[@dantheman6931]

Perfect, thank I’ll put my order in today! Thank you!

[@gumpygumpy]

Certified tree moment

[@SleepyLizard]

Totally

[@rawa5457]

😊👍💪

[@SleepyLizard]

🥑

[@poison5369]

Our one is yellow what do i do???

[@SleepyLizard]

where do you live? what state?

[@poison5369]

@@SleepyLizard New Zealand its winter

[@SleepyLizard]

@@poison5369 I wouldn't worry about it. keep caring for it. They are in the dormant period for you now. Maybe prune it a little and get some nice new green growth to sprout in spring.

[@aarohanpokharel760]

Those grafted trees completed their life cycle and died . Simple

[@devbachu7072]

How that disease is over come soon I know the beetles depist in coconut trees an kipp them

[@SleepyLizard]

I agree

[@devbachu7072]

@@SleepyLizard hope your grove do not suffer much of this paurep wipt ok

[@geriannroth449]

I was hearing something about planting guava trees next to the avocados to help deter this beatle something like companion planting where you plant marigolds next to tomatoes to help deter those caterpillars. I'm wondering if it isn't safer to practice polyculture as opposed to monoculture like plant a mango next to a avocado next to a guava etc so as to minimize the bigger losses in outbreaks like these

[@atiqurrahman958]

If the disease travels through the root system how come a new shoot from this system would be disease-free

[@SleepyLizard]

Depends on if the disease was introduced through the roots or via the beetle

[@geriannroth449]

​@SleepyLizard ok so is there more than one of the tree getting infected?

[@donblevins1181]

there is a fungus among us

[@SleepyLizard]

indeed

[@JJLom777]

It thinks it's a fungi.

[@thedomestead3546]

Bet this is what happened to my Lula....rip.

[@SleepyLizard]

Lula is particularly susceptible. If you describe what happened to your tree I can tell you if it was laurel wilt

[@frostylonewolf1700]

maybe them putting chemicals in food for grocery stores is good so that way it lasts longer so that way everyone can eat but idk i'm just fussy about the whole chemical thing i guess

[@SleepyLizard]

you spend a lot of time contemplating don't you?

[@frostylonewolf1700]

@@SleepyLizard yeah i guess sorry plus i need to deal with it and i can just grow my own food so its not that big of a deal i guess

[@frostylonewolf1700]

@@SleepyLizard i think for now on i will focus on mostly positive stuff and not the negative plus it gets annoying, the main part of it is its not healthy to just focus on it either so i'm just gonna drop it and move forward

[@SleepyLizard]

@@frostylonewolf1700 I've been focussing on the very same thing myself lately

[@frostylonewolf1700]

@@SleepyLizard to move on my plants are doing very well, only ones not doing so well is my tomatoes they look sad and also one of my avocado trees is sad as well but thats cuz i think it went into shock after being transplanted

[@chucklesthered2338]

Feed it meat.