The tree is a 15 gallon* Holiday (XX3) avocado tree that J gifted me for Christmas. It has been in its nursery container for the last month while we prepared the planting site. It is currently about 5 feet tall, its main trunk having been pruned by the nursery some time ago.
After reading about problems with salty tap water in southern California, we applied 10-20 pounds of powdered gypsum all over the mound. Sources say that gypsum will help keep salts from moving into the roots and leaves of the tree. It also is one of the rare ways to get calcium into the soil without raising pH levels.
The tips of most leaves are browned, likely from under-watering the tree while it was in its nursery pot. Some branches are also a little brown and damaged. I first thought this was due to sun damage, but with the benefit of hindsight (writing this in April) I am certain it was too little water.
* Many people recommend against buying a 15gal tree, saying that they are often root-bound and do not grow as vigorously when finally planted. We bought the 15gal hoping it would produce fruit sooner than the smaller trees; also, since we have little experience in growing things, we wanted a tree that was already a strong grower.
