Avocado prices display a definite seasonal pattern, declining from February through May and rising from June through November. Prices are generally highest, and show the greatest variability from year to year, during October and November when the volume of shipments are typically lowest. Avocado trees grow to heights of 30-65 feet, but are usually pruned to 20 feet or less in commercial orchards. Avocado trees adapt to a number of different types of soils, but will not tolerate flooding or poorly-drained conditions. In California, the trees are frequently planted on hillsides, which enhances drainage.
Avocados have a high water requirement.
Even a one year old tree needs 3 gallons of water during the hottest days and 1 gallon during the coolest. Hass is the most widely-grown commercial variety of avocado, and accounts for more than 85 percent of California's production. Despite its poor cold tolerance and strong alternate-year bearing tendency, it produces high yields of rich fruit with excellent storage and shipping qualities. While some other varieties tolerate wind and frost better and have less marked alternate- bearing tendencies, most have storage and shipping qualities that are much inferior to Hass. Trees are usually picked at least twice a year.