Has anyone grown an avocado seed long enough to get fruit from it?

Gardeners can grow avocado from the large, round seeds within the fruit. In fact, many people do grow seedling plants from grocery store avocados, but the resulting tree may not be of the same type as the parent tree and may not produce fruit at all. That is because avocado trees are generally grafted onto rootstock.

I have never been successful.

Yes, we live in Southern California, a big avocado growing area. There are two factors that you need to know about. First, most trees will not be ready to bear avocados for at least 10 years, and then, around that time, you will have to have your tree grafted with a mature tree that is already producing fruit.

I thought rooting an avocado seed was so cool. I did everything right, and mine got to about 14 or 15 inches tall and was starting to grow a little bark around the base, giving it a distinctly more mature look. I thought we were doing great until my husband told me that it was going to be about 15 years until it bore fruit. Phooey. Out with the yard clippings.

Even without the fruit the tree looks full and beautiful anyways.
I knew of a neighbor who planted a grapefruit seed and 15 years plus he had a full blown still growing tree that produced smaller grapefruits ( he grews this indoors and in a cold climate so hence the smaller fruit).
Another grew a lemon tree from seed.

When we moved into our house in 1997, we ate an avocado. I threw the seed in the vacant lot next door. It grew and produced delicious fruit. The lot finally sold, and they cleared it for a house. There are plenty more avocado trees around.

@Hawaii_Jake

It’s good to know that grafting isn’t necessary.

Where was this and do you remember about how long it took for the tree to bear fruit?

Your story just might inspire me to plant a seed in my front yard. Even if I never see it bear any fruit, at least I can help provide some more shade and reduce my carbon footprint.

@Brian1946 This was on the Big Island of Hawaii. I do not remember how old the tree was when it began fruiting. They are beautiful trees.