When Is the Proper Time to Transplant Avocado Trees?

Why Spring

• While you can transplant avocado trees at other times of the year if precautions are taken to protect the tree, spring temperatures are best. In summer trees are susceptible to sun damage because young avocado tree roots are unable to take in adequate amounts of water. Transplanting in summer can be successful if precautions are taken to ensure speedy establishment, which includes regular irrigation during hot dry weather and shading trees from hot summer sun. Trees transplanted in winter are at risk for cold damage.

Transplanting

• Spring includes the months of March through June, so transplant during these months for the best chance of success. When transplanting trees, dig a hole a little wider than the root ball but just as deep. Avocado roots are fragile, so you need room for your hands, as you gently lower the root ball into the hole. While you should avoid disturbing the root system, clip roots growing in circles and loosen some of the dirt around the root system of root-bound trees.

Transplant Site

• Avocados need a site with good drainage and in a non-lawn area if possible, as trees grow better when not planted in the lawn area. Choose a site that protects the tree from frost and wind, which is the south or southeast side of the home. Avocados need full sun for best fruit production. While avocado trees have both male and female flowers on one tree, interplant avocado varieties that pollinate each other, spacing them 25 to 35 feet apart.

Care

• After transplanting the avocado trees, apply about 2 gallons of water. Trees require watering two to three times per week, but along coastal areas, trees can require up to a gallon of water per day. As trees mature, watering needs are reduced to once per week after one year. Soak the soil when watering, but allow it to dry out between watering. Young trees require fertilization at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound of nitrogen per tree each year. You can use mulch to protect trees from weeds, which is crucial for the first two to three years. Lay a 2- to 6-inch layer of coarse mulch, such as redwood bark or wood chips, starting 6 to 8 inches from the tree trunk to prevent rotting of the tree base.

Pollination

• While avocado trees produce both male and female flowers on the one tree, the flowers are either type A or B, depending on the time of day and when pollen is released. Type A flowers open in the morning, close at midday and reopen the following afternoon, while type B flowers open in the afternoon, close in the morning and reopen the next morning. To ensure pollination and a good crop, transplant both a type A and B tree in spring.