Phoenix Tropicals Gardening

[Kellogg-Briand]

I was wondering what others are doing when their plants exceed the height limit of a shade structure. I have two avocado trees exceeding the nine foot limit of the created structures. Should I do something as simple as cut a whole in the top for the plants to grow, or is there a more effective way to protect the trees? I use simple garden poles and burlap. These are modern pictures of my fruit garden and the avocado trees are only growing faster as the weather grows hotter. Gratefully, the other two avocados are growing wide and not tall.

[myamberdog]

KB - I thought that a shade structure is generally for younger plants
and at some point, a tree becomes somewhat "self-protecting" as it were, from the elements, by creating it's own micro-climate via a larger complex canopy.

I mean, there is a huge avocado tree about a mile from me that is right out in the open and never seems to suffer and produces a ton of fruit. Have you thought of just taking the canopy away and seeing what happens? Sounds like you really don't have a choice anyway.

Yeah, you know, maybe cutting that hole in the top is a good idea cuz then you could see how it handles direct sun!

myamberpup

[phoenixtropicals]

If you are going to pull the canopy I would wait until late October, when things cool off. For now you could just trim it to keep it small enough. My experience is that avocado trees take the sun and heat in the desert very poorly. My pathetic avocados get lots of afternoon shade and are still sun burning.

[Kellogg-Briand]

Thank you for the advice. I do not believe I will pull the structure until bark has fully formed around the trunk. Based on the struggles I have heard, I never expected these avocado trees to grow this well. They were unfazed by the heat last year, and this year seems to be the same.