What Does an Avocado Tree Look Like? A Detailed Introduction to Its Physical Characteristics
Avocado, also known as oil pear, alligator pear, butter pear, and butter fruit, is a deciduous tree distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. So what does its tree look like?
1. What does an avocado tree look like?
The avocado tree is 10-15 m tall, with a diameter at breast height of 1-1.5 m, an spreading crown, and many dense branches. The stems and branches are thick and sturdy, often knotted and curved. The bark is thick, cracks irregularly, and contains milky sap. The leaves are alternate, leathery, elliptical or ovate, 7.5-40 cm long, with downy hairs on the upper surface when young and hairless on both sides when mature. The panicle is terminal, and the flowers are pale green. The drupe is pear-shaped or ovate, 10-18 cm long, yellow-green or brownish-red, with soft flesh.
2. How is the avocado tree propagated?
Avocado is mostly propagated by seed, and can also be propagated by grafting. When sowing, the seed coat should be peeled off and the seeds germinated in a sand bed. Choose a site with deep soil, good drainage, and shelter from wind for planting. A spacing of 5*(6-7) m between plants and rows is more suitable. Mixed planting of varieties can ensure pollination. For grafting, it is best to use container seedlings; grafting can be done when the seedling diameter is 0.8-1 cm.
3. What are the growth habits of the avocado tree?
Avocado likes light and prefers a warm, humid climate. It is not cold-tolerant; only a few varieties can tolerate short-term low temperatures of 0 degrees. It is cultivated between 40°S-40°N in the world. The suitable average annual temperature is 20-25°C. Cold resistance varies by variety (the Mexican race is relatively cold-hardy, while the Guatemalan and West Indian races are less cold-hardy). Cold-resistant varieties can tolerate low temperatures of -6°C, while varieties with low cold resistance dry up when encountering low temperatures of 0°C. It needs annual rainfall of more than 1000 mm. Its roots are shallow, its branches are fragile, and it cannot withstand strong winds. Strong winds can lead to reduced yields. It has strong adaptability to soil.