Where To Prune An Avocado Tree? How to find a node. | Ask Scott

I've discussed pruning avocado trees before on Scott Grows an Avocado Tree - but many people have asked me 'where do I actually make the cut?'
In this video, I explain where to first prune your avocado tree. That includes finding the node on your avocado tree and where exactly to prune it in relation to the node.
Nodes are important! They contain meristematic tissue which allows it to continue growing after pruning. Watch this video to be confident in where you prune your avocado tree - giving your avocado tree the best change to grow to be healthy.

[@margaretcassidy7830]

Now I know where to prune my Tree. Thank you very much.

[@juanitaschoeman9573]

Which month do you prune an avocado tree

[@pamelamcgill8067]

What if the end of the leaves are brown, do you cut the entire leaf off? I had cut the very trip of the leaves when it started but its still brown now.

[@pamelamcgill8067]

I don't have a yard so it's still in a pot on my porch

[@ritabeitz9598]

Hey, Scott, I’d like to see examples of the avocados that you have previously pruned. I’d like to see the improved trees and how they branched out. Thanks

[@ETena15]

Oh my goodness, I watch many videos on this topic and was still not 100% sure if I was going to do it right; I was scared to kill my newly growing avocado plant. But after watching your video I am sure to do it and am not scared to just do it. Your video was educational and precise! Very simple and good for viewers like me!! Thank you Scott!!!!

[@ronniechampagne2951]

Thank you! You’ve given me the confidence to prune mine. It has 5 beautiful leaves at the top and none along the stem so I didn’t think I could prune it, but now I’m happy to know that I can! Poor things going to be a stick for a few weeks lmao…

[@jippee1]

mine is about 50cm tall with only 2 leaves at the top. I want to cut it back to about 20cm above one of the nodes but ofcourse I am worried because there are no leaves below. Was yours successful?

[@user-pj3np4ru8q]

I must have viewed over ten videos before seeing your vid. FINALLY!!! Someone who not just explained about the node and internodes but who also showed HOW TO prune for the best results. Thank you so much for the clear and concise information!

[@frana504]

I've watched your videos about avocado trees and you speak in a simple clear language. Thank you for providing information that I can understand.

[@johnkollias4358]

Hello Scott, I'd like to note that you can keep avocados in water basically indefinitely if you like them that way. There is no need to transfer in soil provided that you change the water every week or so and if you add a little fertilizer in the water! They get used to living that way, they just do not grow to become trees!

[@kirag9509]

I took your advice last year on pruning avocado seedlings and my seedling now has 6 branches!

[@saamor96]

Thank you so much for the explanation, everything was so clear and informative! This is exactly the video I was looking for!!!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

I’m so glad I could help! Happy pruning ✂️🥑☺️

[@kaualopesrodrigues339]

Wow I don't even like avocados but I like your channel so much that I'll grow an avocado tree for my grandma :)

[@alodiaprie1]

This was so good! thank you. Because of people like you sharing I am totally perfecting my growing skills.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

I'm so happy to hear that :)

[@J.C.Clements]

You're like Avocado Jesus. Thank you so much for all of your helpful content!

[@mjbabicful]

I've had my avocado tree for about two years, and it had kind of stalled out. I never pruned it as I should have as a seedling. This gave me the courage to do it now! And if it dies, I'll just start a new one. Thanks!

[@AlexFooty7]

Did it die? If not how is it doing?

[@mjbabicful]

@@AlexFooty7 It died, and I haven't tried a new one. ☹ But maybe I will again!

[@AlexFooty7]

@@mjbabicful I think it's cuz you stalled for too long. Mine is germinating for 3 days so far

[@spacefreak4537]

Thank you for the tip on how to prune the Avocado.

[@leyley1970]

Thank you Scott for the information.. I grew one from seed and a Mango tree.. I had cut the Mango back and it has grown more leaves

[@haleyyoung9179]

Thank you Scott! This was the most helpful video I have found for this question!

[@rickhalverson7091]

Very helplful to understand about the nodes. Thanks!

[@pipermills237]

Super helpful and fun! One of the first results when I googled it and it was exactly what I needed

[@mars.mars.mars.]

this has been helpful - i have an avocado tree that’s nearly a year old and it grew a stem out the side closer to the base of the trunk which died off when i cut it. i must have accidentally cut below the first node!! oops! the rest of it is fine and growing nicely in this heatwave we are having in the UK. i have a second avocado tree growing that needs its first prune soon! i’ll look out for the nodes extra carefully now :)

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

It sound like you may have! Yeah, a lot of people on tiktok go really close to the seed - you absolutely do NOT need to do that. I go 15cm up the trunk at least :) Good luck!

[@juanitaschoeman9573]

Thanks Scott, your advice is greatly appreciated.

[@Kais.]

Do you know, or have you experienced differences in growing an avocado from smaller and larger seeds? Is a larger seed better? or vice versa. Love the channel

[@jsh3462]

Thank you! I wasn’t sure if it was alright to cut off all the leaves

[@k.morris231]

Just pruned my tree. I hope it will grow back nicely.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

I hope so too! Good luck :)

[@shadama9350]

Did it ?

[@k.morris231]

@@shadama9350 not really, it only branched off on one side. Leaves on the other branch keep dying.

[@pols2504]

Really helpful, finally found right moves to do , thank you so much 🤗

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Good luck! 🥑🪴

[@kathrynseymour2445]

Thank you Scott. My avocado plant is getting to that point where pruning will soon be necessary if I want a healthy plant. You've shown me how to do this.

[@outwest100az]

Can I cut just above the node even if no leaves will be left on the stem? I grew one in the kitchen and it didn't get a whole bunch of light so it became long and thin with just leaves on top. Thanks you do a great job. Arizona good vibes to you.

[@JB9000x]

My avocado has got to 80cm and only just started to branch in two. I can see a tiny bit of budding about half way down as well. I've never pruned it as I never even thought of the need. I'm too scared to cut it down now! And I quite like the tall spindly structure so far. If it's better to have it branching lower down, then why does nature make it grow tall and spindly with no intervention?

[@xxpgwfxx]

I love that vase that’s holding the seeds so well for this avocado germination where do you find one of those?

[@MsShura]

Thank you Scott. This was very helpful.

[@johannsilva7948]

Thanks Scott very helpful mate!

[@AmandaSmith-qp4fn]

Scott, so excited I found your videos! I have an avocado tree that’s about 4 years old and it’s probably 2.5’ tall. In a large pot and still getting new leaves. But tall and skinny and leaning. How can I get the most out of my sweet little tree and not kill it?

[@squirellvr57]

Thank you Scott.

[@fritziezacarias2049]

Well explained! Thank u and more power!

[@illuvination]

Thanks for the Video! Quick Heads up - you referred to two videos that are going to be linked in the description but forgot to put them there!

[@navi-charlotte]

Thank you! I suppose I can apply this for all my plants.

[@grey5135]

Mine was only growing leaves at the top so i was nervous about pruning it half way down its main stem, but i did it anyways, and I thought I killed it but at about 2 weeks the nodes started growing and I am happy to say it is coming back very very healthy but it did take about 2 weeks before anything started to grow back I guess it was just in shock and repairing before starting new growth. So if you do it do not be dismayed just give it about two to three weeks and you should start seeing the nodes awakening.

[@ejikeudeani9382]

Waoh... I wish i had come across this channel long time ago. Thank you so much for the insight. I never knew anything about pruning plants. My avocado is over 7m tall and just started fruiting for the first time and i am worried i can't harvest most of it due to the height. Any remedy?

[@kevinbwillson4161]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@tommyan5504]

Thx Scott! What about bigger plants? After repotting our 1.5m tall avocado tree 2 new branches grew from the top like eyebrows. Should I cut them off?

[@grace01tv]

Good idea of how to prune avocado

[@kreatesse]

thank you, you're fantastic!!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Thank you, Victoria! Thanks for watching ☺️🥑

[@davidpowerfns]

Hey Scott, thx for great video. The only question i have is do you still need to have at some leaves when you prune? Because mine is very tall but only leaves at the very top, so pruning it would leave the plant without any leaves.

[@iddybiddyladybugleeza909]

My avocado seed started turning black at the top leaves so I cut it just above the node but below the black area. It sprouted out a new stalk!

[@Caffeinated_Warrior]

I'm now in the process of growing my first set of Avocado trees. I have one growing out it's root now in a cup. My understanding so far as to the purpose of pruning is to get more leaf's to grow out among the lower nodes. The plant that Scott pruned in this video from the top above the first 3 lower leaf's puzzled me a bit. Aesthetically it looked to me like an already well proportioned plant. Perfect in my eyes. What would be the benefit of pruning it at that point? Even more leaf's would grow out on top afterwards?

[@frankstucatz3270]

It essentially promotes more branching and side growth so you don't just have a tall lanky stem with leaves on top...

[@nicolearboleda7066]

I planted an avocado tree and had no idea I had to put the seed in water I just put it in a big pot and hoped for the best... Not sure if I should remove and do the water or if it's too far down the road by now, I'm going to prune it though because I feel it's stuck 😂

[@IAMBLESSED555]

Enjoyed the video. Needed this info.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Edward-turtle]

good vid dude , just what i needed.cheers

[@Bukpie]

Thanks Scott!

[@praveen4snaveen]

Can we replant the internode discarded ? Will it produce another avacado tree ? 🥑

[@lisaadamaitis7761]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@yukuhana]

Thanks for the video. Question: If you're going to cut so much off, why didn't you cut earlier? Isn't it such a waste to cut so much off?

[@waynejones750]

Thanks for the information.

[@Caffeinated_Warrior]

I've just grown my very first avocado tree from pit! It's grown up to 8 Inches so far. My understanding is that you want to prune it generally around 12 inches tall or so. I also heard that you want to prune from the top node of the 2nd set of leaves? My main concern right now is that I live in Canada. Should I prune soon or is it too close to the cold Autumn months now and I should wait until Spring now? Should I pot it in soil soon and before the pruning?

[@StitchesbySharonH]

I didn’t know that I was supposed to prune my trees! They look exactly like the picture you showed! Do you propagate the part you cut off or discard it? Thank you for sharing! 💚🪴

[@MS-dh9gh]

I have the same question about what to do with the discarded part! @scottgrowsanavocadotree

[@Allieisakat555]

Hi! You can only propagate an avocado by seed as far as I’m aware

[@StitchesbySharonH]

@@Allieisakat555 Okay, thank you!!

[@yorkshiremanjim]

Do you know any way to get it to branch? I'm doing a bit of a bonsai experiment, and so want it as compact as possible, I've been cutting at low down nodes every time it grows back to thicken the stems, but really want it to try and branch a little...

[@stephaniegarrison57]

2 questions for you Sir Scott 😊 1.) Can i prime even if I don’t have leaves on my tree? I believe my tree is tall enough, it LOOKS like it’s about to sprout some leaves but it hasn’t yet. Also … 2.) Where do you find your awesome vases ❤

[@childishslinky324]

I would suggest waiting for the tree to grow some leaves first. Primarily as a way to ensure the tree has matured and developed a decent root system to ensure it can handle the shock and recover. Mine is very similar to the picture of the person that asked this question in the vid. Very tall with a bunch of leaves on top, and i will be pruning it to the point where it has none left. Nervous, but it should be fine. Also, noticed that you posted this 4 weeks ago. Would love to hear how it went if you did go through with it :)

[@sweepn27]

Hi Scott, I was wondering since my plant is about 4 feet tall at least, if I cut the plant in half at a node, can I root the top half I cut off and make a new plant from it??

[@bombdylan5494]

Hello :) Great vid & channel! I'm wondering if its possible to cut an avocado seedling right back so it no longer has ANY leaves? If I cut just above a node and it has zero leaves will it live? I have a super leaggy one thats about 1.5 metres tall and would love to prune it right back so I can try and get it to be more bushy. Cheers!

[@deltatango6793]

So is it okay to leave no leaves? 😬

[@kiana4816]

Hi scott thanks for your videoes. My avocado plant is about 4 or 5 mothes old.and it has been growing in soil for more than 2 mothes now.Should i prune it now ?or it's still early?or is it perhaps too late?😅

[@jolowres887]

Great, very helpful, thank you

[@nicholinehepner6553]

I currently was given an avocado tree that is spindly and about 3 ft tall. It’s held up by a stick can I prune it still? It’s about a year old… 4:51

[@louiseprince8011]

Hi there! I've pruned my avocado tree, and now the new branches have started to grow. I have one that's really long and the rest are just tiny shoots. Should I prune the new long branch? I also have two additional shoots growing up from the stone, which I cut back, but they have started to grow again.

[@DanicaBritt]

Hey Scott, I have an avocado. I think it is about two years old. I have never pruned it. I need help. Where would you suggest pruning it? I know above the node, but which node?

[@scarred_angel]

Thank you so much! Super appreciate you! I just feel so bad! Have you ever tried growing the tops? I thought of maybe putting root hormone on it but didn't know if that would work!?❤😂 thanks!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

I have tried! I didn’t get as far as I’d like: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqSUmIRjYs2Sm7M

[@paulm.shurak3747]

Have you ever air layered before ? Considering trying on my 1 year old from seed currently 28" tall.

[@justjoan4010]

Very informative.

[@astrobubbers]

Hello scott. I have a beautiful avocado tree that flowered one time. And then we had a freeze and it never flowered again. Is there anyway I can make it flower again?

[@PattyWax1]

My avacado tree is 16 inches tall.. no leaves at all until the very top. I'd like to shorten it up to about 5 or 6 inches (above the node, of course)! Pruning so much off... with no leaves below that node, will it survive???

[@txflores7239]

I just plant my avocado plant in to the pot,so how often do I wanted and where do u keep it

[@Djou-Karl]

I didn't know that nodes where there used to be leaves could still grow new leaves/shoots! I'm in the same situation where my tree barely has any leaves apart from the top.

[@greensilverwolf3PhoenixGroup]

I have 4 avocados growing and 1 has white leaves which i found cool since ive never seen one like that

[@ernestoescobar1967]

Does pruning work for hass avacados only or does it also include tropical ones too

[@zurinesantander7721]

I topped my avo tree the other day, didn't prune it, will it basically do the same thing? Haven't seen any reference to topping them. Probably should have checked BEFORE doing it 😂 TIA

[@Jardin-de-invierno]

Hey can you top an avocado tree to control height? Thank you great video

[@rhondahaefele7171]

My tree is indoors and about 10’ tall. I need to trim it and am sad that I didn’t know I needed to trim until now. It is December and Ollie( my tree) lives indoors in Denver metro. Do I wait until spring and how far down do I prune?

[@GnarledSage]

Tried to find one video of the plant giving avocados. But, there’s none. Do you plant them just as decoration? Or do they give fruit? I want to know how much should I wait on average before mine gives fruit.

[@Aar0nDown]

I just pruned my avocado tree February 9/2024 and have noticed that it also needs to be repotted can I repost it at any time still ? Or Should I repot it when new growth shows back up , my tree still has 2 leaves to do photosynthesis and otherwise it’s healthy.

[@phillip1beer]

Question, when you prune off the top of the avocado can the top be placed in water to be rooted also? Have you ever tried to grow them on the surface of your aquarium? I had a ziplock bag down in my basement aquarium room. It had three avocado seeds in it wrapped in wet paper towels. I had forgotten about them for months. I was afraid to open the bag as I thought they might be rotten. Amazingly, they were still damp in the paper towels and were sprouting. I also had two new seeds. I cut donuts from pool noodles and made the center hole bigger with a razor knife. The noodle hole was now big enough to allow me to push the seed into it and yet fit snuggly around the seed like a life jacket. They are all floating on top of my aquariums in the basement under bright lights. My only worry is that once they begin to grow they may become top-heavy and want to fall over in the water. I think I will use super glue gel to glue the noodles to each other to create a floating island-like platform that will be more stable. I'll let you know how things progress with it. As for now, they are floating nicely on the surface of my aquariums.

[@jenniferbreedy1130]

Hi, my gardener miss and cut my avocado tree right down to the earth .It was now growing. Will it grow back?

[@sr.ellenoneill8110]

Will the pruned section of the avocado root?

[@BrianSeklecki]

Can one re-plant the pruned/trimmed part ? Use a Growth hormone powder?

[@ChristineTurchiano]

Hi Scott, my mature avacado tree doesn't produce fruit. Can you suggest something? ❤

[@beigebeigebeige]

Hi Scott, why do wait till 20-30cm? Can you do your first prune when the plant is smaller? Thanks!

[@rosagahbler2519]

I have a several year old tall lanky avocado tree and would like to send you a picture to get your opinion on pruning pls

[@camdenanding1731]

Im just now planting my seed and I know this won't happen soon but when would you move it into a bigger pot and do you ever plant it into the ground or keep it in a pot?

[@davidhoff2590]

Hey Scott, I have a question about my avocado I have a two year old son he kept plucking the stem off. How do I bring it back to life and make sure it’s healthy again

[@rubyroomm]

Does it have to have some leaves left on or is it ok to cut off all the leaves if there are nodes below our cut point? Because mine is quite leggy and it only has leaves at the very top

[@azazel0783]

My avocado tree is in a pot, I've never pruned it, just picked off a few leaves now and then. It's inside for winter and outside for summer

[@jakobjakob7189]

But is it important that it still has leaves after pruning? Or will it be able to regrow those fast enough, that it wont die...

[@willmac5642]

I feel bad cutting one third of plant off, is it possible to use ie regrow roots of the part cut off?

[@outwest100az]

Sorry a secondary question, I have the whole seed in water with the roots, do i need to take the seed out of the water, It has been growing fine for 6 months but I always see the seed out of the water in all videos etc.

[@sararallen867]

Do you still prune an avocado plant if it's growing leaves from the very top? I'm asking this because my avocado plant is losing leaves

[@BarbaraEyre]

Thank you for mentioning about a tree that has nothing along the stem until the top ... I have that. My question is that the first seed I finally got to sprout is a twinage ... two growing from the same seed. Is this a problem? They are both literally the same ... one is not stronger or bigger than the other. Think things will be ok in the long run? I'm sorry but I'm not on IG so I can't post a pic. Mine is going into it's 2nd spring but is only about 12-14 inches tall (I have dirt coning up around the thin stems for some added support so can't measure accurately from seed).

[@diegodelay5354]

can you put the part you cut off back in water to sprout roots?

[@bullfrog88]

I have not pruned my avocado tree yet, but it's about 24" tall the leaves have not gotten really big like everyone else's trees. But I do see nodes forming starting from about 6" from the seed. How low can I trim my 🥑 tree

[@shadaybwa1]

Is there anything I can put in the water to help the avocado tree grow

[@taniamarinopoulos9302]

I have an avocado tree with no leaves/nodes. Long roots but one big internode. Is this salvageable?

[@teegyb2326]

I really like that song at the start 😂

[@iLLStraight__Savage7]

What if I have about twenty leaves going up my 36in plant can I cut some sun leaves off?

[@imanraii3525]

What happens to the part you pruned out? Can we grow it too?