Tonnage is an upright, heavy-bearing Florida avocado with medium, pear-shaped fruit and good flavor. (Persea americana 'Tonnage')
Shop this plant: Tonnage Avocado Tree – 3 Gal
Quick Care Summary
- Sun: Full sun, at least 6-8 hours.
- Soil: Avocados demand excellent drainage; they will not tolerate standing water.
- Watering: Water new trees 2-3 times a week for the first month, then weekly in dry periods for the first year.
Sun
Full sun, at least 6-8 hours. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun on the trunk by painting it with diluted white latex paint.
Soil
Avocados demand excellent drainage; they will not tolerate standing water. Plant on a mound 1-2 ft high in South Florida limestone or sandy soil. They tolerate alkaline soil with minor-element feeding.
Watering
Water new trees 2-3 times a week for the first month, then weekly in dry periods for the first year. Established trees need deep watering only during long droughts. Never keep the soil soggy; avocado roots rot quickly.
Fertilizer Schedule for South Florida
Young trees: a balanced fertilizer with minor elements (such as 6-6-6 or 8-3-9) every 6-8 weeks from March through September, starting with a small handful and increasing with tree size. Mature trees: 2-3 applications a year. Add chelated iron, zinc and manganese if new leaves are pale. Skip feeding in winter.
Pruning
Prune after harvest. Tip young trees to encourage branching, and head back tall upright limbs to keep trees at a pickable 12-15 ft. Remove dead wood and branches touching the ground.
Cold Protection
This is a hybrid-type avocado with moderate cold tolerance, handling brief dips to about 26-28°F once established. Protect young trees with frost cloth on freeze nights.
Container vs. In-Ground
Avocados grow into large trees and do best in the ground. A young tree can live a few years in a 15-25 gallon container with a very fast-draining mix and regular pruning, but expect small crops.
Spacing
Plant 20-25 ft from other trees and at least 15 ft from buildings. Smaller yards can go to 15 ft with regular size control.
Flowering and Fruiting Timeline
Flowers February-March; fruit ripens September-October.
Harvest
Pick at full size when the skin dulls; soften indoors.
Common Pests and Diseases
Start with organic, low-impact fixes: good airflow, clean-up of fallen fruit and leaves, and soaps or oils before anything stronger. Always follow label directions.
Laurel wilt
How to identify: Sudden wilting and browning of leaves that stay attached, with sawdust 'toothpicks' from tiny beetle holes in the trunk.
Organic-first treatment: There is no cure. Keep trees healthy and unstressed, remove dead wood promptly, and remove and chip infected trees on site to protect neighbors' trees.
Root rot
How to identify: Wilting despite moist soil, yellowing leaves, dark mushy roots.
Organic-first treatment: Prevention is the cure: plant high in fast-draining soil, never let water stand, and cut back watering in cool months.
Scab and anthracnose
How to identify: Corky raised spots on fruit or dark spots on ripening fruit.
Organic-first treatment: Prune for airflow and use copper fungicide during flowering and early fruit set in wet seasons.
Lace bugs and mites
How to identify: Bronzed or stippled leaves, especially in dry weather.
Organic-first treatment: Spray insecticidal soap or horticultural oil on leaf undersides.
FAQ
Do I need two avocado trees? No, but it helps. Tonnage is a B-type, and B-type varieties set fruit on their own; planting an opposite-type tree nearby can increase yields.
Does Tonnage stay narrow? Its upright habit fits narrower spaces than spreading avocados.
Related Reading
- Do You Need Two Mango or Avocado Trees? Pollination Explained
- Laurel Wilt and Your Avocado Tree: Signs and What to Do
- Best Avocado Varieties for Miami and South Florida
Ready to grow your own? Get the Tonnage Avocado here.
