Mulching and protecting the trunk of a new avocado tree

After planting, it's usually good to add some light fertilizer and mulch under a new avocado tree. It's also usually important to protect the trunk from animals that gnaw and the sun. None of these steps are necessary in all situations.
(P.S. I don't know why I mentioned squirrels. That cage will not even slow down a squirrel.)
Here's some more about fertilizing avocados: gregalder.com/...
Here's some more about sunburn on avocado trees: gregalder.com/...
And here's more about mulching with wood chips: gregalder.com/...

[@williambutler4976]

Mulching is probably one of the most important follow up steps after planting. Creating a environment for the feeder roots to feed off the decaying leaf litter . It also makes a great condition for mychorrizae to flourish. Thanks for sharing Greg.

[@tamarabonet9438]

Thank you! Your advice on avocado trees is so appreciated. I just planted 4 avocado trees here in Northern CA and have read and watched your information. I learn a lot from your expertise!

[@roberts735]

Just lost 4 mexicola grande up here in northern ca. they were all chewed through at the base. Rats or moles not sure but I definitely learned a lesson

[@gregalderdotcom]

So sorry to hear that. I get rabbits chewing the trunks of my young trees sometimes so I now wrap them with shade cloth or cardboard or something.

[@arielcortez7393]

Oh, wow... i thought I was the only person using surround, I sprayed my avocado trees and persimmons 👍

[@TropicalGardenGuy]

Excellent advice!

[@frankyancy1347]

Another good one, thx. I now restake at planting. My first two Hass/Bacon left on central stake too long, now 4 years later still need guy wires, plan to try to take them off this Spring hopefully 😀

[@gregalderdotcom]

Hi Frank, Staking is tricky. Working on a video and post on staking that will hopefully help us manage this step of the process better.

[@JoseGonzales-ul9sv]

Thanks excellent info

[@spinnordoctor]

Hi Greg I appreciate this video especially bc I’m in process of planting avos right now. I just put an Ettinger in today into a spot in my yard that seems to be very hard on the avos. It’s a low spot and doesn’t drain well and soil very compacted. I had a Carmen I pulled out in same spot bc its growth was just Stunted for past year and before that it was a Mexicola that got ripped out. I think I was planting too deep and with potting mix instead of native soil. I’m slowly learning I think how to plant the trees correctly.

[@gregalderdotcom]

Hi Pat, I've got a couple of those dead zones in my yard too. I removed two Sharwils from one spot over the span of about four years, and I finally replanted with a Flavor Grenade pluot which has done very well the last couple years. Avocados are particular about their soil conditions in ways that almost all other fruit trees are not.

[@frankyancy1347]

I've made the same mistakes you have, loosing 5 or so, young avos are tricky to get started, sounds like you've got it down, no woody potting mix, native/sandy soil, and I water fairly often but shallow. Best of luck.🙂

[@spinnordoctor]

Greg since you just mentioned flavor grenade I have a question. That’s a great tree!!!! I put one in Spring 18 and Last year had a nice crop and tree was healthy. Early this year while leaves were forming the aphids attached and pretty much wrecked the entire trees foliage. I harvested 1 pluot this year 😓. Do you have any advice how to deal with this?

[@gregalderdotcom]

My Flavor Grenade had aphids pretty bad last year too. Reducing the Argentine ant population is helpful. I've been using KM AntPro bait stations for that. Also, blasting the foliage with water frequently helps, as it knocks many aphids off the leaves and many don't crawl back up into the tree. But some years are worse than others with aphids, I've noticed.

[@spinnordoctor]

@@gregalderdotcom thanks Greg I’m going to try that out. Question. I just picked up some Avos from San Jose Costco and the packer is Del Rey and they list the origin as Vista so I got super excited seeing my home town and bought a bunch. When the avos are on the large size, how can you tell the variety? I’m thinking they must be Lamb Hass. If I could post a picture I would

[@davidmathibe9220]

Can you fertilize an avocado tree with lawn fertilizer?

[@DavidWilliams-jp3fo]

Hello Greg, In your video you had mentioned using “Surround” and spraying it on the tree through a spray bottle to protect it from sunburn. Could you please recommend or help navigate me to the correct store or website to purchase it. Thanks for the great videos!

[@gregalderdotcom]

Thanks, David. Peaceful Valley sells it. Unfortunately, it doesn't come in small bags: www.groworganic.com/products/surround-25-lb?_pos=1&_sid=fe0e50b64&_ss=r

[@devbachu7072]

Can I used white primer house paint to paint the trunk(

[@Nazimus]

Thank you for this video Greg, I have a question regarding the mulch, is it ok to use olive leaves and pinewood as mulch for avocado trees ?

[@gregalderdotcom]

Yes, I have used both without any problem.

[@beemcplayz1044]

If I copy what you did in this video, I'll probably be successful. What do you think?