Quote from
bob on 3rd June 2022, 7:10 pm
Hello Mrs B
First of all Olive trees come from dryer and warmer climes than the UK.
Therefore their roots do not like to be in wet soil, but that it retains a little moisture, the tree needs good drainage, looking at your picture it does look as though you have good soil, dark and moisture retentive, but maybe it's holding too much moisture for the tree.
Before you consider pruning, try a couple of things, if the tree hasn't been in the ground for too long, carefully remove it from it's position, and into the hole dig in a fair amount of horticultural grit, and whilst the tree is out of soil, just check the roots, are they wet or dry?
Place it back into the hole, if the roots are dry give it a good water, prior to filling the hole with soil and grit, don't compress the soil around the tree too much, and add a slow release fertiliser, of course if the roots are really wet, gently remove some of the sodden soil and place the tree back into it's hole, filling in with soil that has Horticultural Grit mixed in, making sure the soil gets around the roots, again don't compress the soil too much, add slow release fertiliser, and most of all have some patience ?
Also is your tree getting enough sun and light? and if there are dead branches these may be removed, so it's sun and good light throughout the day, good drainage, moist soil, not wet!! you can check the dampness of the soil, the ground may look dry, but using a trowel dig a little soil away near the tree, about five inches in depth and you may find the soil at this level is quite moist, therefore no watering is required, and of course vice versa, use slow release fertiliser two or three times per season.
I hope all goes well, please let the forum know how you get on.
Bob
Hello Mrs B
First of all Olive trees come from dryer and warmer climes than the UK.
Therefore their roots do not like to be in wet soil, but that it retains a little moisture, the tree needs good drainage, looking at your picture it does look as though you have good soil, dark and moisture retentive, but maybe it's holding too much moisture for the tree.
Before you consider pruning, try a couple of things, if the tree hasn't been in the ground for too long, carefully remove it from it's position, and into the hole dig in a fair amount of horticultural grit, and whilst the tree is out of soil, just check the roots, are they wet or dry?
Place it back into the hole, if the roots are dry give it a good water, prior to filling the hole with soil and grit, don't compress the soil around the tree too much, and add a slow release fertiliser, of course if the roots are really wet, gently remove some of the sodden soil and place the tree back into it's hole, filling in with soil that has Horticultural Grit mixed in, making sure the soil gets around the roots, again don't compress the soil too much, add slow release fertiliser, and most of all have some patience ?
Also is your tree getting enough sun and light? and if there are dead branches these may be removed, so it's sun and good light throughout the day, good drainage, moist soil, not wet!! you can check the dampness of the soil, the ground may look dry, but using a trowel dig a little soil away near the tree, about five inches in depth and you may find the soil at this level is quite moist, therefore no watering is required, and of course vice versa, use slow release fertiliser two or three times per season.
I hope all goes well, please let the forum know how you get on.
Bob
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