newly planted avocado tree is in trouble

[snowtracks]

Hi. About a month ago, we put a just-purchased avocado tree in the ground. For a while it was doing very well: lush green leaves and new growth. Then I noticed that two adjacent leaves had oval black spots which looked like someone had briefly pressed the flame of a match to the leaf. Now many leaves on the tree have dark spots in various shapes. I've attached pictures. What do you think might be happening? Thanks.

 

[Raintree]

Touch of leaf scorch, I wouldn't worry.

Why do you have it tided so tight? Loose that puppy!

 

[Urban Forester]

Would it be possible to take a closeup picture of the backside of one of the larger brown spots. It is HIGHLY unlikely in a plant this young, but there are 2 Phytopththora species, P. cinnamoni and P. infestans that can be quite active in Avacado. They begin with lesions similar to that, HOWEVER there will be sporulation (black dots) active on the backside of the leaf. Has this tree been located in high sun area, or a 50 - 50 mix of sun and shade?

 

[Ed Roland]

See also bacterial leaf blight as a possible. Definitely worth having pathology define causal.