Olive Tree Trunk Not Growing
Do not amend the soil with organic material moisture retaining polymers fertilizer or anything else.
Olive tree trunk not growing. If your tree s soil is dry here it s time to water. For container planted olive trees our rule of green thumb is the same. If your tree requires staking it will already have a stake in the pot. This will produce a stronger trunk.
When in doubt check your soil for dryness. Water the olive tree thoroughly once a month after the first month. Olive trees are slow growing and do not need much pruning other than to keep to the desired size and shape. Thin branches to allow more light into the centre.
But if you re not sure when to water check your soil with your index finger down toabout 2 inches. Don t stake the tree unless it is in danger of falling over. Moist conditions in and around underground sewer pipes are attractive to the roots of many trees including the olive tree. Prune the tree lightly in the first four years removing only branches that are growing towards the center of the tree.
Olive tree roots are vulnerable to root knot nematodes citrus nematodes and root lesion nematodes. The olive tree is an evergreen that flourishes in hot dry areas and as such will not do well in wet winter soil. Watering it more often will produce weak shallow roots. Many are not familiar with this beautiful tree commonly used for its beauty in the landscape.
Prune in late spring to mid summer to remove dead diseased or dying branches. Olive trees are usually purchased in either 4 inch pots with numerous side branches and a height of 18 24 inches or in a 1 gallon pot with a single trunk and a height of 4 5 feet. Finally if the tree is in poor health for any reason drought stress disease problems or nutrient deficiencies for example it is unlikely to bear fruit. Olive knot is a bacterial disease that is spread by water and enters the tree through pruning cuts cracks or wounds on the tree.
At maturity it may reach 25 30 feet 7 6 to 9 m with approximately the same width. This olive tree is described as a distinctive evergreen growing at a slow to medium rate. Galls up to 2 inches in diameter appear on the tree. About fruitless olive trees.
The olive tree with no olives olea europaea wilsonii is hardy in usda zones 8 11. Plant your tree at the depth it has been growing in the pot. Simply plant in the native soil provided it is well drained and backfill with the same. Tree roots will find the cracks or loose joints in the pipes enter at these openings and feed off the dampness and nutrients found inside growing and eventually blocking the sewer pipe.
Typically your olive tree will need to be watered about once or twice weekly. All of these microscopic pests cause stunted foliage growth and reduced vigor.