Olive tree problem.... anyone know what this is?

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by DMM, Feb 22, 2020.

  1. DMM

    DMM Gardener

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    Love my young olive tree ...especially as it bounced back in 2018 after losing almost every leaf following a woolly aphid attack and the ensuing sooty mould. Last summer it was in great health and looks mainly great at the moment too but noticed some leaf problems when inspecting it the other day - see photos. Does anyone have any idea what it is and what I need to do please?
    Perhaps I should have posted this in tree forum instead?

    20200207_162415.jpg 20200204_200459.jpg
     
  2. Cuttings

    Cuttings Super Gardener

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    This is a common problem with olive trees throughout europe, its been introduded by the mass amount of trees imported from the continent.
    Its called bird eye spot, and its a fungal infection, once in the tree tye spots appear, leaves yellow and drop, and in worst cases, you lose all the crop, and get twig and small branch die back.
    Treat with a copper mixture or fungal treatment that is applied via a drench.
     
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    • DMM

      DMM Gardener

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      Thanks Cuttings for your response. Online research did suggest that is what it could be but thought I would see if anyone here knew for sure.
       
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      • DMM

        DMM Gardener

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        Just an update to this - last week I'd contacted the olive tree company who I bought the tree off and they have only just got back to me today telling me that ...
        "This is normal during very wet winters. The damaged leaves will fall off in the spring as the plants makes new leaves". Hmmmm
         
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        • NigelJ

          NigelJ Total Gardener

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          Evergreens have a continual production line of leaves, new ones replacing old worn out ones. This replacement peaks in autumn and spring. I would sit tight and wait till spring arrives with warmer and hopefully drier weather, when your olive should pick up.
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            My olive tree just grows like the clappers, in fact I've cut it right back to a stump this year.
            The leaves always look fresh and green.
            @DMM is yours growing in a pot?
            I tend to think olives usually look pretty sick when pot grown, they just dont really like it long term.
             
          • DMM

            DMM Gardener

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            Almost exactly what the supplier said .... but you've expressed it in a far more eloquent way !
            Merci ..... :)
             
            Last edited: Feb 25, 2020
          • DMM

            DMM Gardener

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            Well lucky you M'sieur Pete! Isn't your location of Kent known as the garden of England? ;) [Just edited this as saw you are quoted as "the remnants of .... "] :(
            Wouldn't dare cut mine back that far in my neck of the woods!
            Yes it's in a pot. I have a 'yarden' so have to make the most of what I have.
            First pic is year 1 - 2016 - when I bought the house + the tree and also started my 'yarden' work.
            Second is 2018 when it first started it's recovery after the woolly aphid and sooty mould attack divested it of almost every leaf!
            Third is last summer - 2019 - ..... doesn't look too 'pretty sick' to me - lol ! I derived a lot of pleasure from it actually. Love looking out onto my little bit of nature - small as it may be ... sigh

            2016-07-21 15.48.18.jpg IMG-20180604-WA0011.jpeg 20190702_174512.jpg
             
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              Last edited: Feb 26, 2020
            • newbiegreenfingers

              newbiegreenfingers Gardener

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              what do you have growing in the pot with it? they look absolutely lovely together. I was worried about adding a climber into the pot in case it overtook my Olive tree but looking at that, I may actually do it. :-)
               
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              • ThePlantAssassin

                ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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                @DMM
                I love what you've done with your 'yarden'. The brick set up around the pots is fabulous and Im loving the climer growing up through the olive! I too have Olive trees in pots and so far they have one well. I feed them with a product called 'olive focus' and they seem to like it. Ive just noticed some black little mounds on one part of the twigs so Im hoping and praying its nothing serious. Id be devastated to lose them. I dont think mine look too 'sick' either ( 20200628_165139.jpg so far ....fingers crossed).
                 
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                • Redwing

                  Redwing Wild Gardener

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                  So who gets olives from their trees? And what do you do with them? I get very small mostly green ones which I harvest before Christmas.......about a jam jar full.....big producer here.;) Just curious about how good yours are. @pete especially as your climate is not dissimilar to mine.
                   
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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    I dont get any, I cut mine down to a stump last winter, just too big.
                    In previous years I was hacking back every winter to control it, so apart from the first couple of years after I planted it its never flowered even.:biggrin:
                     
                    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
                  • ThePlantAssassin

                    ThePlantAssassin Gardener

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                    @Redwing I get loads of flowers followed by hundreds of tiny bobbles on bunches that should mature into olives but they ALL fall off and I've NEVER had a single fruit. Probably cos its in a pot.....maybe
                     
                  • DMM

                    DMM Gardener

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                    So sorry I never responded to you !!.... it was about the time my Mac succumbed to a glass of wine spillage and gave up the ghost! Replaced it immediately but this is the first time I've visited the site since then .... hard to believe it was that long ago. Anyhow ... I digress. Thanks for your comment re the climber looking good. According to the label it's a Jackmanii clematis and the picture is purple but it's turned out to be burgundy. My Mum bought it for me one day from B&M for £1.99 so a bit of pot luck I guess
                     
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                    • DMM

                      DMM Gardener

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                      As above to newbie ... apologies for such a late response! [never spill wine onto a laptop .... lol] Thanks for your lovely comments. Your potted olive in the pic looks lush! I hope those little black mounds you spotted didn't turn into anything serious.
                       
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