Olive tree dilemma

maidmarian11 · September 2018

I had two lollipop Olive trees one of which lost all of its leaves during the hot summer, but has now sprouted new growth at the foot of the existing trunk.
Can anyone tell me why one survived and the other didn't - they were both in the same garden receiving the same attention?
Also, how can I nurture the new growth to help the tree to grow again?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/yb/vjske46ahs3r.jpg

Olive tree 1 shows the healthy tree and the Olive tree 2

shows how the second has been affected.

JennyJ · September 2018

Maybe one was in a slightly more exposed position than the other?

If you want it to regrow as a standard tree, you'll need to choose one of the new shoots to train vertically (it'll need a cane or stake) and prune off the rest. No idea whether it's best done now or left until spring though (too cold here to grow olives so I've no experience of them). I wonder if the prunings will root as cuttings? I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along to help out.

They'll probably both be happier in bigger pots too.

Obelixx · September 2018

Even olive trees get thirsty and need watering regularly, and feeding too, especially in small pots like those where they easily get their roots cooked in heat. I think you've been too hasty cutting off that stem and should have waited a at least till next summer to see if new shoots appeared.

Have a look at this info on olive tree cultivation - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=138

Guernsey Donkey2 · September 2018

I agree with Obelixx - you cut the tree too early - I would have given it a full season before giving it the chop although I realize that it may have looked awful. The pots are too small for the plants.

Fairygirl · September 2018

Did you chop before the new growth appeared? If so, that's why you have growth coming from low down on it. If you'd left it, as the others have said, there's a good chance it would have rejuvenated.
I agree the pots are too small and you need a good medium, and some tlc, for the trees to thrive. I don't think you can sort the growth habit now, unfortunately

maidmarian11 · September 2018

Thank you! I've already decided to leave both to settle over winter and will re-pot in to bigger tubs next Spring. Should I wait until Spring?
For some strange reason the new growth appeared and was healthy before the top started to die, it was almost as though all the nutrients from watering and feeding were being taken by the root growth and not the trunk and leaves.

Obelixx - thank you for the link which includes the following information;
If needed, in late spring or early summer, remove dead, diseased or dying branches. At the same time, thin out branches to allow light into the centre of the tree and remove any branches that spoil the shape. Avoid pruning too hard as this will result in the over-production of non-fruiting water shoots. Could this have been my mistake?

I'll prune the new growth and save/train the strongest shoots and hopefully I'll have a new tree next year.

Dovefromabove · September 2018

That new growth doesn't really look like olive leaves to me ... olives are often grafted onto osmanthus, particularly the lollipop ones .... I've a feeling those new leaves are osmanthus

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=138

Obelixx · September 2018

I did wonder about that Dove.

If you can't take the plant into shelter to protect the roots over winter then re-pot now so they have extra insulation and/or wrap the pots - but not the plants - in bubble wrap if very cold weather is forecast.

JennyJ · September 2018

maidmarian11 said:

For some strange reason the new growth appeared and was healthy before the top started to die, it was almost as though all the nutrients from watering and feeding were being taken by the root growth and not the trunk and leaves.

Dovefromabove said:

That new growth doesn't really look like olive leaves to me ... olives are often grafted onto osmanthus, particularly the lollipop ones .... I've a feeling those new leaves are osmanthus

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=138

In that case it could have been the osmanthus growth from the rootstock taking the lion's share of moisture and nutrients that killed off the top of the lollipop, rather than drought alone. Maybe there was damage to the graft or below at some point in its past that triggered it to grow from the rootstock.

If it's important to have a pair of olives, it might be best to buy another in spring.

maidmarian11 · September 2018

Thank you, thank you Dovefromabove!
Although I consider myself to be an 'amateur' Amateur Gardener I did wonder if the tree had been 'grafted' it was as though it had given birth to an alien during the hot weather. (Am awarding myself a bonus point as a reward- note to self - one large G+T this evening ;-0). Going to check out what to do with Osmanthus surrogate next.
Obelixx last winter I protected the pots with bubble wrap so will do so again this winter.

Am going to ask everyone another question next week as am off on holiday today.
Thank you for your advice, interest and vast knowledge of all things horticultural.

Olive tree dilemma

Posts