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White spots on olive tree trunk

giannopoulosg40ovv0fEJAgiannopoulosg40ovv0fEJA Posts: 9
in Problem solving
I've have this olive tree for about 10 years. 
It comes  from our olive grove in Greece.
Was tiny when I got it. It has some small whit dots all over the trunk and branches but not on leaves or new growth. 

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Have you tried to scrape off any of them? Wonder if it's a scale infection. 

    A bit of info on it on the RHS site: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=224 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • giannopoulosg40ovv0fEJAgiannopoulosg40ovv0fEJA Posts: 9
    They are hard to scrape off. The leaves don't have any. However, my 2 over little ones do have on the underside of the leaves. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    They tend to stick really hard to trunks, but give them a good scrape without causing damage. They're not particularly detrimental to the health of the plant if controlled. So don't worry too much, mechanical removal is usually enough. Some find it useful to use some rubbing alcohol on a cotton wool pad to clean the trunk after you scrape them off, but not necessary. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • giannopoulosg40ovv0fEJAgiannopoulosg40ovv0fEJA Posts: 9
    I tried scraping but I was removing bark. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Ah OK then it's not scale insects attached...can you take a couple more close ups and see if any other member can make any other suggestions. I'll also mention that if you're in the UK you shouldn't have brought in the plant as it could harbour diseases. It's a basic phytosanitary precaution, even if I understand the emotional attachment to a specimen from one's own land. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Critical to comply with import rules as the current situation with Xylella which has affected a lot of olives across Europe https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/garden-health/disease/i-Xylella-fastidiosa-i
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • giannopoulosg40ovv0fEJAgiannopoulosg40ovv0fEJA Posts: 9
    Not in UK... North America. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I assume they have phytosanitary regulations in the USA and that all imported plants have the required certification. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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