Avocado tree finally bears fruit after 19 years

[July 25, 2009]  HOUMA, La. (AP) -- After 19 years just looking pretty, the avocado tree near Geneva Moore's house trailer is bearing fruit. "It's got a bunch of them," said Moore, 74. "I couldn't even believe it at first," said her son Jay, who planted the seed that grew into his mother's tree.

Barton Joffrion, a horticultural agent at the LSU AgCenter in Houma, said it's unusual for avocado plants to bear more than leaves in south Louisiana.

"A lot of people have the trees because they're pretty, but it's been quite a while since I've heard of one that's produced actual avocados," Joffrion said. "I guess the problem is you really need ideal conditions for the tree to make them."

Jay Moore, 44, said the tree yielded a single avocado two years ago, but it only grew to the size of a peanut.

"After going the next year with nothing, we have a whole tree full of them," he said laughing. "It's great. I actually had a friend of mine offer me a dollar for each one I sold him. I told him 'no' since I see they're selling them at Rouses for $1.39 apiece."

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Information from: The Courier, http://www.houmatoday.com

[Associated Press]

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