check moisture at root level ... lawn irrigation is often not sufficient for a new transplant ..

3 pounds of anything sounds a bit much ... in that little spot of mulch .... but it sounds like you have done it before ..

ken

Thanks Ken, I do monitor the soil moisture. It’s about 30% right now. That little blue cap you see is the sensor. I also check it manually with another sensor.

we’re you thinking it might have too much water? Or not enough?

the instructions I have for the fertilizer is to add 1lb per inch of trunk thickness at ground level. That’s why I added 3lbs

Too much fertilizer was the problem.

leaves dropping from the bottom of the tree and making it‘s way up, as well as the plant Continues to produce fruit, but no new leaves.

I am going to leave it be for a long while and hope it recovers.