I have just bought a house that has 2 avocado trees. It looks like it may be dying??? I love avocados,& don't know the first thing about caring for them. There is an avocado on the very top of the tree, looks like it was a good size avocado, but it is shriveled up. There are some green leaves and some brown ones. What should I do? Do I need to prune the tree? Leave it be? I water it about 1-2 a week, soil is great. Not to moist and not dry. Please help!!

Many of the problems associated with growing avocados can be overcome by supplying the tree with a constant source of organic mulch which is continuously breaking down and adding humus to the soil. This can be straw, rotted woodchip or best of all a layer of compost.
These problems can be inconsistent watering, insufficient drainage, insufficient organic matter etc. Organic matter in the soil can rectify these problems.

To fertilise avocado, (not until spring, then again at the start and end of summer), use an organic fert such as chicken manure or an all purpose citrus fertiliser to get a high rate of growth, or use a soluble liquid fertiliser fortnightly. Only fertilise if the soil is moist and a good supply of water is gauranteed. Mulching is very important in hot summer months.

If you want to prune the trees, do so at the end of winter, just before the new growth starts. You can cut out any dead branches and tip prune to keep the height manageable.

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The secret is the soil.