Don't worry about the leaf drop. It's the time of year when they do that, when they go into flower.

The problem is that if we have too much sun when the tree is so little, and all of the leaves have dropped in preparation for flowering and new spring growth, they can get sunburned. I would paint the trunk and main branches with white latex paint.

Avocados hate having any kind of disturbance around the roots, and they are very shallow-rooted. The roots need to be shaded and protected against weeds and other disturbances. I would mulch that tree heavily, at least ten inches, and when it drops its leaves, do not pick them up.

Young avocados also take an enormous amount of water. I saved mine by painting the trunk and putting it on extensive drip (25 drippers or more in a 12 foot circle, if I recall)for two hours twice a week once I figured out what I was doing wrong (no mulch, too much sun on the trunk, not enough water).

I don't know about the pollination, but it might depend on the variety.

Good luck with your tree and your garden. It sounds like fun.

Renee

Its not burning from hot weather-I would guess the water is of poor quality-high in salts,or the soil is high in salts.
If the source of water is part of a water softening system-most plants wont take that.

It looks toasted from the past summer's heat to me. As Renee said, they need a lot of water and a very thick mulch.

Oh yeah, and they are heavy feeders. Yours looks like it could use a dose of nitrogen.

My young Hass in the full sun looked like this before dying out on me. I have since learned to shade young avocado plants.
Young avocados grow as understory plants in their natural habitat. So, they need shade for a few years before they are established. So, you might want to rig up a shade system with some burlap or shade cloth and bamboo sticks or some such thing and also paint the trunk as suggested. And most garden stores in your area would carry a Citrus\Avocado fertilizer. An application of the fertilizer is in order. And mulching too as mentioned above.

I work for a non-profit camp that is loathe to spend money. They only have acrylic paint; does anyone know if this is an acceptable alternative for latex? Also, any other suggestions for shade cloth other than burlap? We added mulch, nirogen rich avocado/citrus fertilizer and upped the watering cycle. stanofh, how would I test for high salt concentration?

Acrylic is ok, in a light color, just don't use oil-based paint. Or you can wrap the trunk with something- white strips of cloth? to shade it from the sun. Just make sure not to leave it on for too long so that it does not girdle the tree. Your other steps should help tremendously. The original painted trunks on my trees eventually died, but new trunks sprouted out from the sides of it and grew well once I began the new water/mulch/shade routine.

You could use cheap sheets for shade. The tree does not need to be shaded all day; if you can protect it from the mid-day sun or hot afternoon sun that would be beneficial.

Renee

You can use any piece of cloth (used sheets as Renee says, used towels or even old clothes cut to shape - I used old pillow cases in my backyard) or even large plastic bags (grocery bags, trash bags etc) to rig up a shade system.
Also, most cities give you free compost from their green yard waste recycling. You can make use of that to give a nitrogen boost to your tree and encourage more earthworms and beneficial microorganisms in that soil. Please remember to keep the mulch and compost away from the trunk otherwise the trunk will rot and get diseases. Good luck.

Hey Pitch- how is the rest of the garden design coming along?
Renee

It's coming - we just bought a bunch of native plants this past week, seedlings should start going in this week and I'll be putting up covers on ash trees so deers don't destroy their bark. I also need to start on designing, planning and getting funding for an outdoor classroom and later an outdoor shed, both of which will most likely include quite a bite of terracing. So much to do, so little time!

More little related to this thread, if I do find latex that is advisable instead of acrylic, right?

It was said "It looks toasted from the past summer's heat to me"

Yes, but avocado root rot looks eerily the same. As does excess water.

In other words, all 3 conditions damage roots which then can't take up sufficient water to keep the top in good condition.

Ask the local agricultural resources about the possibility of root rot in your area.

Gee, I don't think it really matters. I just used latex because I had it in white. People used to use "whitewash" whatever that was. Perhaps someone else will know.

You would have to see the water specs is one way.Water companys print an annual reading of water quality. This spring we had a break the in rains-and warm near 80f weather..my young Mexicola suprised me by actually wilting-in its third year in ground!..well,the leaves got a little yellowish-but no burned edges. Thats why I think your tree has water or like somebody said, root fungal problems.