Brown avocado leaves are extremely common in Southern California, but the location and pattern of browning matter.
Brown tips and margins
Salt-related injury commonly appears at leaf tips and margins. Irrigation water quality, leaching, root health and watering practices all deserve review.
Spots, bronzing and webbing
Mites can cause yellow, brown, bronzed or stippled foliage. Persea mite commonly produces roundish damaged areas and webbed patches on the underside of leaves.
Don't overlook roots
Poor drainage and excessive irrigation can contribute to root and crown problems. A stressed root system can produce canopy symptoms that look like a leaf problem.
Reference
See UC IPM's avocado symptom comparisons and avocado disease monitoring guide.
Need an avocado diagnosis?
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Related avocado guides
- Avocado root rot, drainage & irrigation
- Persea mite on avocado
- Avocado harvest season in Southern California
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Need help protecting an established avocado?
Brown foliage can involve irrigation, drainage, salts, roots or pests. For valuable or established trees, a property assessment can connect the symptoms to irrigation and site conditions before work is recommended.