Fuerte avocados are very special in the North San Gabriel Valley. It was the perfect location to start groves before the 20th century. The temps are good, not too extreme, and we have minimal wind or excessive heat and dryness.
My four trees are remnants of groves and are over 60 years old, spaced an equal distance apart. They are quite large, but there is enough space for them to spread. They do better with space. Otherwise, they tend to grow into a tower (up).
They are winding down now after a big crop with good fruit since January. There are some left that ripen strange because the seeds start to sprout and split inside the hanging fruit. This causes one side of the fruit to blacken and be a bit over ripe. They are still very good still!
The fruit is so creamy. Guacamole freezes very well. Mash with lots of lemon, salt, pepper, garlic powder. Freeze in portions and let thaw in the frig during the winter.
Mature trees don't need much of any care. I cut back some low hanging branches that get in the way of sprinklers. Every three years, they do need to be shaped by people who understand how to do it. The height needs to be brought down in order to reach the fruit as well as thinned! It is not possible to feed such big and mature trees nor necessary. My trees are in a grass area, so there is plenty of water.
They flower in early spring for the next year's crop. Right now, there are lots of babies that are about 2". Cold night temps during the flowering period can cause loss of fruit for the next year. So climate and temps are very important. They take a year to grow from flower to picking. Bees love them. Found a bird's nest in one recently.
The fruit can by cyclical. After a big year, the next year might be lighter just like most fruit trees.
I would like to keep the squirrels away. They take one bite, and the fruit is ruined.
