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Trees Design Dilemma garden

Avocado tree back from the dead

5 years ago

I have a question concerning my avocado tree. I've had this tree since ~2009 and it was about a meter tall living happily in a pot...until I left it on my deck during an unexpectedly cold night in my new home in Nashville. The leaves instantly died and dropped. I kept it indoors until it got warmer and put it outside.

Much to my surprise its sprouting 3 branches from the very base of the old tree! I'm wondering what I should do about the existing dead main branch in the center? Do I need to leave it or can I cut it down?

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Comments (3)

knicetime
5 years ago
It sounds like the new growth may be coming from below the graft. This may cause inferior fruit or a type that you may not want. If possible, take the plant to a reputable nursery for advice.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

did you start this from a seed.. if so .... there is no graft issue ....

in colder zones.... its not uncommon that trees get frosted or froze.. and lose all there leaves ... and releaf ....

it is more uncommon that the trunk died ... as i wouldnt have thought it could have gotten THAT cold ...

regardless.... apparently there was no root damage ... and the tree is coming back with a vengeance .... since there are enough roots there to support that which died ....

i would give it a few more weeks.. to see if that part is dead for sure. .. and if not.. you have to prune it out ....

you might also want to reduce to one leader ... it you prefer it to look that way in the future ...

but.. even if it releafs.. it just mightnot look great.. so i would probably.. without a pic ... probably end up removing the large bare part.. as close to the ground as i can.. without harming the new growth ...

a good cheap tree saw might be worth the investment ... good for camping too ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=cheap+folding+tree+saw&t=ffcm&ia=products
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
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If the dead stem is completely dry and dead you can cut it off. Avocados will re-sprout wherever they can, if they can.

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