u/Proud-Syllabub-1097

The previous owner had stakes on every limb. I removed them and the branches are long but bendy. It's about six years old, growing very quickly, and has given no fruit yet. The tree was grown from seed, and I planted a Reed a few feet away (probably way too close but it gets lots of sun in that area, and I'm in SoCal). This avocado tree is taller than the house now and I wonder where I should trim. Also, should I leave the leaves that are growing at the base alone, to protect the trunk/branches from the sun?

The base of the tree trunk snapped as I was planting it, it kind of crumbled and snapped. I returned the tree, but the roots and this nub are still in the soil. I have it covered with shade cloth because it's in a very sunny area. Anything I can do to keep it alive?