The rustic, impressive trunks of centuries-old olives are known from Tuscany and other olive tree growing areas - these time-honored fellows simply belong in the landscapes of the Mediterranean region and offer an impressive sight.
How to care for the trunk of an olive tree?
The trunk of an olive tree becomes gnarled and hollow over the years as it twists on itself and the tree grows slowly. To keep the trunk he althy, you should avoid waterlogging and protect the trunk from frost in winter by wrapping it with a coconut mat.
Gnarled trunks only come with age
Young olive trees still have a straight trunk with a smooth bark. The well-known gnarled individuals with the fascinating trunks are usually many decades, if not centuries or even millennia old. This is due to the special growth habit of the olive, because its trunk rotates around itself over the years. It is also not unusual for a tree to split into several trunks - even after many years. Basically it can be said: the older the tree, the more gnarled it grows.
Trunks of old trees usually hollow
When young, the trunk of an olive grows in circumference by about one centimeter per year. Olives grow extremely slowly and generally do not grow particularly tall: in the wild or on plantations, the tree usually reaches a height of up to 15 meters - but in many cases even less. Instead, the trunks become wider and wider and are also hollow inside. Numerous depressions, adhesions and even holes in the trunk are not uncommon. Such characteristics are part of the nature of the olive and should not be seen as signs of illness.
Be careful when watering
If you water indoor olives or have an olive tree in the garden, you should avoid reservoirs in the adhesions and depressions of the trunk. Such accumulations of water quickly lead to rot and can therefore affect the he alth of your tree - so keep the trunk as dry as possible.
Wrap trunk with coconut mat in winter
The olive is used to a dry and hot climate and therefore cannot tolerate frost. For this reason, you should protect your tree from the cold in winter. Ideally, wrap the trunk with a plant heater (looks similar to a string of lights) and over it with a thick coconut mat. Also don't forget to cover the roots as well as the crown.
What to do if the bark peels off?
If your tree gets too much frost, the bark can split or crack. Young specimens that are not yet heavily woody are particularly susceptible to this. Seal the wound(s) with a bark balm (Lac Balsam, so-called “artificial bark”) and wrap raffia around the area. However, make sure that no fungal growths have yet been able to spread. Patentkali ensures that your tree becomes woody better and faster.
Tips & Tricks
When buying an olive, make sure that there are no cell growths on the trunk or branches. This olive cancer is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae or Acrobacterium tumefaciens and mainly attacks young trees. Tree canker cannot be treated and the trees will die within a few years.