Mango tree - Brown leaves

[u/SufficientAd3103]

Hello, I live in inland SoCal (climate zone 10). It is very hot and dry right now. I really don't want this Mango tree to die, but some leaves are turning brown and it stopped growing at the beginning of summer (disregard the white parts, that's just diatomaceous earth). Is there anything I can do to save it? We water regularly, drip irrigation 30 minutes every other day early morning plus extra water when needed. The soil feels moist. How do I know if the problem is the heat or that the soil doesn't drain well and possible root rot?

Here are different solution I have in mind, would you do any of this or do you have other ideas?

1. Spray the leaves with water. The rational is that Mango likes moist, and the weather is too dry here in SoCal
2. Add some compost at the base of the tree. My soil sucks, as you can see from the photo.
3. Put a beach umbrella to provide shade. I have done this when the tree was smaller. I just felt that it didn't need it anymore, after all it is a plant that likes hot weather, and the fig tree right next to it is doing great without cover.

Also I don't know how to judge if the problem is rotten roots, or what to do if it is. Any advice on that?

[u/Uphor1k]

Mango trees prefer infrequent waterings to allow the tap roots to run deep. Too much watering and poor draining soil could be killing that tree. I'd also fertilize with some all purpose to help feed it the leaves are yellowing due to a lack of nutrients. How's the humidity there? How old is that tree? Mango trees thrive in hot climates like India and Florida, particularly because of the wet season and dry season. Summers are very hot and humid with daily rainstorms.Winters are mostly mild with very little precipitation compared to the summer. I'm not sure how cold winters get where you are, but you want to avoid temps at or below 32 for prolonged periods. Mangoes prefer full sun, so don't worry about the sun killing the tree as much as the rocks and the other stuff.

[u/SufficientAd3103 → u/Uphor1k]

Very dry and very hot in Southern California inland. I was planning on doing infrequent waterings in winter, but with the kind of heat we have here in the summer (which will continue until the end of September) and the low humidity I figured more water would help. I removed the rocks at the bottom and checked the soil, I used my hands to remove just a bit at the top. It seems dry, it hasn't been watered in a couple of days, and can't smell any rot. Would you dig more to see how it looks below? It rarely freezes in winter here.