Thanks for the pictures! The picture showing the base of the tree is the best and tells us what is going on. There is lawnmower or string trimmer damage to the trunk, which will inhibit water and nutrient movement up and down the the tree. This wounding could also weaken the tree enough to make it susceptible to insects and diseases, but the tree will definitely be stressed due to the wounding to the trunk. 

The real problem lies in the grass that is growing right up to the trunk. A grass and weed free area about 6 feet in diameter around the trunk is recommended to help avoid situations like this, but also to reduce competition for water and nutrients. Being a new tree, it needs all it can get and when there is competition, growth can be hindered.

  I will be clearing the grass from around the tree but is there anything I can do on the trunk to help it at this point to help it get better?

There is nothing to do to the trunk. The best thing to do is keep it growing vigorously to reduce additional stress. But in reality, the damage to the trunk may be significant enough resulting in continued stress and could be a weak point that leads to problems later on, such as falling over in a good wind. In the long run, since the tree is so young, it might be worth starting over with a healthier plant with no damage to the trunk. It will get a better start and will likely last much longer than this one probably will.