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There is a huge, old avocado tree on the property beside ours that has leaves with spots. (The tree is close enough to the property line that several branches hang over into our yard.)
The house next door has been either tenant-occupied or vacant for several years, so I started clearing invasive vines out of the tree a couple of years ago and this is the first year I've noticed that there are avocados that look healthy (as a matter of fact, I don't remember seeing any get large enough to eat until this year).
Any thoughts on whether there is cause for concern? Are the spots on the leaves a sign of something serious/possibly dangerous if the avocados are eaten?
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Talk to Ken Love over on the other side he knows all about avocados. Yahoo him to get a Email address.
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The avocado fruit is probably just fine. The leaves got a leaf fungus from limited air circulation- probably some sort of leaf spot. It most likely does not affect the fruit.
Cut open an avocado. If it's all greenish yellow inside it's probably fine. If it's brown or black you probably don't want to eat it.
If you have any doubts, give some to a dog or neighbor and see how they react.
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I know Ken. I just interviewed him for the magazine. His e-mail address is KenLove@Kona.net He is one of the world's chief avo experts.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com
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Which magazine, Devany? I have to read that. Ken is doing a wonderful job of reviving local agriculture.
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Thanks to all for the email address. I took a few photos of the tree and the leaves and will email them to Ken to see what he thinks!
This doesn't sound like an issue for you because no one seems to care about the tree, but just as a reminder about this sort of situation -
the fruit of a tree is owned by the tree's owner, whether or not branches hang over the line. A neighbor may do some trimming if a tree encroaches, as long as it doesn't harm the health of the tree, but fruit of the tree is not fair game.
I have a neighbor with an overhanging avo, and much as I would like the avocados, I know that they are his and I have to ask, and he may say no.
As I said, in this situation the owner seems to not care what you do, so I am only mentioning this because people may assume that overhanging fruit becomes their property.
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Is this a Hawaii law?
quote:
Originally posted by KathyH
This doesn't sound like an issue for you because no one seems to care about the tree, but just as a reminder about this sort of situation -
the fruit of a tree is owned by the tree's owner, whether or not branches hang over the line. A neighbor may do some trimming if a tree encroaches, as long as it doesn't harm the health of the tree, but fruit of the tree is not fair game.
I have a neighbor with an overhanging avo, and much as I would like the avocados, I know that they are his and I have to ask, and he may say no.
As I said, in this situation the owner seems to not care what you do, so I am only mentioning this because people may assume that overhanging fruit becomes their property.
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I'd really be interested in seeing more discussion on the issue you brought up about overhanging fruit, limbs, etc. It's been my experience here in Hawaii that just the opposite is true, especially in subdivisions with small lots since we have so many unoccupied adjoining properties where trees and thick vegetation hang over boundaries and grow onto other properties.
It's been my understanding (since 1970) of common practice here that you can cut away vegetation that hangs over your property and if that includes mangos, avos, etc., well, lucky you! However, that's not usually the case. The practice is because jungle gets so thick and tall and either endangers the neighboring property or blocks sunlight from plants they are trying to grow.[:I]
