Avocado ‘Reed’

Avocado 'Reed' (Persea americana 'Reed') is the avocado for gardeners short on ground. It grows upright and narrow, around 6m tall by 3m wide, so it slots into a suburban backyard where a wide spreading variety would swallow the lawn. The reward is large, round fruit with thick green skin and smooth, rich flesh, carried on a dense evergreen tree that doubles as a shade feature.

Why you'll love it

• An avocado that fits. The upright, narrow habit is the reason to choose Reed: full sized crops from a smaller footprint than most varieties.
• Serious fruit. Big, round avocados with thick skin and creamy flesh, prized by growers and cooks alike.
• Crops on its own. Reed sets fruit reliably as a single tree, so you do not need a second variety to get a harvest.
• Made for warm climates. Heat and humidity suit it, from tropical gardens through the subtropics into warm temperate areas.
• Shade as a side benefit. The dense canopy earns its keep as a shade tree years before peak production.

Where it works best

Feature and backyard orchard planting. Give it a sunny, sheltered position with room for a 3m wide canopy. The vertical habit keeps paths and clothes lines usable beside it.

Shade tree duty. Planted on the northern side of a sitting area it throws useful summer shade while the fruit develops overhead.

One honest caution: all parts of an avocado tree are toxic to pets, so it is not the tree for dog runs, aviaries or paddock fence lines.

Growing Avocado 'Reed' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and shelter from strong wind. Reed thrives in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates. It tolerates light frost only once established, so young trees need protection through their first winters, and cold inland districts are better served by hardier fruit trees.

Soil. Drainage decides success with avocados. They will not survive waterlogged ground, so on heavy soil build a wide, generous raised mound and never plant into a hollow.

Water and feed. Consistent moisture through flowering and fruit set, with a deep mulch layer to keep the shallow roots cool, always kept clear of the trunk. Feed little and often through the warm months with a fruit tree fertiliser.

Pruning. Tip prune after harvest to keep the tree at picking height and encourage branching. Left alone it will head for its full 6m; most home growers hold it a metre or two lower.

What to expect when it arrives

Reed is sold as advanced grafted trees in 30L and 90L containers, both already carrying real structure. An advanced tree shortcuts the most fragile years of an avocado's life and brings the first proper crop closer.

Both sizes move as freight rather than parcels: trees are delivered Australia wide, advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a settling in period across the first season while the roots take hold, backed by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse avocado trees
• The full fruit tree range
• Evergreen feature trees

Common questions

Do I need two avocado trees to get fruit?

No. Reed is self fruitful and crops well as a lone tree. A second tree of a complementary flowering type can lift the set further, but it is optional.

How long until it fruits?

An advanced grafted tree is usually within a couple of seasons of its first meaningful crop. Removing the first few fruit lets a young tree build its frame instead.

Can I keep it smaller than 6m?

Yes. An annual prune after harvest holds Reed comfortably a metre or two below its natural height, which keeps most of the crop within reach of a picking pole.

Is it safe for pets?

No. All parts of the tree contain persin and are toxic to pets, so site it away from dog runs, bird aviaries and paddocks.

Will it survive frost?

Light frost only, once established. Protect young trees with frost cloth for their first two winters, and plant in spring so the tree faces its first winter well rooted.