If you are watering from the white PVC tube, it's way too close to the trunk. You can end up with root rot. I'm having trouble seeing the bud union. Is it just below the branch? If so, your tree should be okay.

The tiny pinhole faces opposite the trunk as I didn't want water touching the trunk. There are also pinholes further away (2-4ft) to ensure root growth outwards. The only reason I made a pinhole sorta close to trunk was to water the root ball while the tree is young and roots are not extensive.

Also, the soil drainage is kind of overwhelming (sandy loam, but more sandy imo). Water does not stand at all once water is shut off.

Should I still be worried about root rot? Thanks for the response. I am still learning.

And yes, just below the branch. I was just worried the loss of so many leaves due to a large group of branches breaking off in one chunk would deprive the tree.