Persea americana 'Fuerte' (Avocado)

The avocado is a dense, evergreen tree. It is fast growing and can with age reach 80 feet, although usually less, and generally branches to form a broad tree. Some cultivars are columnar, others selected for nearly prostrate form. Growth is in frequent flushes during warm weather in southern regions with only one long flush per year in cooler areas. Grafted plants normally produce fruit within one to two years compared to 8 - 20 years for seedlings. West Indian type avocados produce smooth round, glossy green fruits that are low in oil and weigh up to 2 pounds. Guatemalan types produce medium ovoid or pear-shaped, pebbled green fruits that turn blackish-green when ripe. The fruit of Mexican varieties are small (6 - 10 ounces) with paper-thin skins that turn glossy green or black when ripe. The flesh of avocados is deep green near the skin, becoming yellowish nearer the single large, inedible ovoid seed. The flesh is hard when harvested but softens to a buttery texture.

The Avocado fruit is an important food in South America and is nutritious with high levels of mainly unsaturated oils, minerals, vitamins and reasonable levels of protein. Clinical studies have shown that avocado oil can reduce blood cholesterol.

Avocado trees produce thousands of flowers and only about one in 5000 sets fruit.

The Avocado is remarkable in its ability to thrive under a broad range of environmental conditions. It needs water and no frost and prefers good drainage, sun, and dry air.

See more about avocado:
Avocado varieties chart.
Avocado variety guide: Snack or Guacamole?
Growing avocadoes in Florida
The Magic of the Avocado

Persea americana 'Fuerte' is a historically significant Mexican-Guatemalan hybrid avocado cultivar, one of the first widely successful commercial varieties in California. Its name - Spanish for "strong" - refers to its ability to survive cold events that damaged many other seedlings.

The fruit is pear-shaped with smooth medium-green skin that remains green at maturity. The flesh is pale green to yellowish, buttery, and rich-flavored with high oil content, and is widely regarded as having particularly fine eating quality among avocado cultivars.

The tree is evergreen and moderately vigorous, though bearing can become somewhat irregular in certain climates. 'Fuerte' tolerates cool subtropical conditions better than West Indian types; mature trees may withstand brief drops into the mid-20F. It grows best in full sun with excellent drainage and moderate consistent moisture, and is generally suited to USDA Zones 9-11.