Wind has a direct influence on temperature, soil moisture, humidity and transpiration. A storm-wind has the potential to damage or uproot trees and cause bruising to hanging fruit. Well maintained, natural shelter should always be considered on any orchard, as they are inexpensive to establish and extremely effective. Shelter trees should preferably be planted several years before avocado trees are planted. They should be hand weeded, irrigated and fertilized to promote growth, especially if they are planted at the same time as the avocado trees.