05/09/2026
๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ?
Not every avocado tree shedding leaves is sick.
This is one of the areas where farmers need to learn to distinguish between normal tree biology and a real orchard problem.
Right now, as we transition from flowering into the pinhead fruit stage, you may notice your Hass trees dropping quite a number of older leaves. In many cases, this is normal.
During heavy flowering, the tree redirects significant resources towards reproductive growth. After flowering and fruit set, some older leaves naturally senesce and fall as the tree makes room for a new vegetative flush. If the branches remain healthy and green, the tree is still producing new growth, and the fruit set looks normal, there is usually no reason to panic.
But do not assume every case of defoliation is natural.
Persea mites can cause leaf damage and premature leaf drop. Diseases such as Phytophthora and Fusarium can also weaken trees and cause defoliation, often accompanied by other symptoms such as dieback, poor growth or root problems.
Heat and excessive climatic stress can also trigger leaf shedding, especially when the tree is struggling to maintain its water balance.
So, before reaching for a pesticide or fungicide, first ask: Why is this tree losing its leaves?
Look at the leaves. Look at the branches. Look at the roots and the overall condition of the tree. Check whether there is new flush coming.
Agronomist Mwai KE
