Didn't want Chills excellent logic to get lost in the drain cycle here. If you get a self-fruitful sweet cherry, you can't lose. It's like type O Blood. A universal donor. It will pollenize whatever you've got planted and itself, too, provided that the bloom times generally overlap. For the east coast, where sweet cherries are challenging anyway because of the summer humidity which causes cracking and other disease issues, there has been the suggestion that Lapins is a good choice (I'm in the high desert, so I'm only repeating what others have said.) For the record, on those occasions when Jellyman has childed me for something or other, my reaction is to feel kind of honored. Few are more knowledgable--not to mention, generous with their expertise--than Don and I am grateful for his participation here, curmudgeonliness (sp?) and all. Don

Good news for you Lindsey- Hass don't have male trees, they are A types. You can cut down the unproductive tree with no impact on fruit production. Wikipedia says "the avocado is unusual in that the timing of the male and female flower phases differs among cultivars. There are two flowering types, "A" and "B". "A" cultivar flowers open as female on the morning of the first day and close in late morning or early afternoon. Then they open as male in the afternoon of the second day. "B" varieties open as female on the afternoon of the first day, close in late afternoon and reopen as male the following morning. "A" cultivars: Hass, Gwen, Lamb Hass, Pinkerton, Reed. "B" cultivars: Fuerte, Sharwil, Zutano, Bacon, Ettinger, Sir Prize, Walter Hole." I have two Hass trees and believe me, that's plenty! Congratulations on your new home. May you have many happy years in it. Renee

I see a few problems: the spotted leaves are either a persa mite or fungus no a problem but the infected leaves will fall off. you should white wash the entire tree or move it to a shaded area until it starts to recover. how long have you had it were the brown tips there when you bought it? what have you fertilized with? i give even my new trees food. for small trees like yours if watering twice a week where i am its not super hot, i use a liquid b vitamin once a week for first month and make sure the ph of your water is below 7 i treat them like my blueberries and they love it more nutrient uptake. 5.5 - 6.5 is best. there are several ways to lower ph of water. twice a month i water with a dilution of ammonia sulfate which is 21-0-0 (2 tbs to 5 gal bucket of water.) that will push new growth. and once a quarter i add a little organic slow release avocado food, azomite. and i use a flower fert 2-10-10 before bloom time for heavy flowers... i have multiple trees in pots that are 10-15 ft tall and 8 ft wide heavely fruited. so you have to be on a good feeding schedule.

I'm planning to get a 'Holiday' avocado tree (dwarf). This would be the first tree I've ever planted. Wondering if I can just dig a hole use the existing soil or should I be adding something? I've done research but haven't found a solid answer. I think my soil is pretty good. I have some thriving succulents and random drought tolerant plants, indicating that the drainage should be good. I'm located in northern CA if it matters. The same question applies for peaches or any other fruit tree actually. I'd like to plant a couple more dwarf trees if possible. I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!