The Olive Tree & old Oak trees
Over the last several years Olive trees are being sold as house plants. Before purchasing an olive tree there are a few guidelines to remember. In both Ireland & the UK the olive tree (Olea europaea) flowers too early in the year to produce fruit. In any case the fruit will be miserably small - the size of bullets or big ballbearings and just as hard. Even in the Mediterranean the olive fruit has to be soaked in brine & water (the water is changed frequently) to soften it. . This Mediterranean plant will not survive outdoors during our winter/spring. Olives enjoy standing outdoors during summer. Grow it in a container - don't waste your time & money planting it in the garden, even if it is well sheltered & south facing. Their natural habitat are the dry, sunny hillsides of Spain and Greece. If the olive tree has spindly growth prune this off in spring, cutting just beyond a halthy leaf. Move the plant to a bright position - a cool porch or greenhouse (aim for a minimum of 3 degrees Celsius). Water only when the compost surface has dried out - new healthy shoots will soon sprout. Sturdy olives occasionally need a long shoots pinched back in order to keep a tidy shape.Old oak trees support up to 300 different wildlife organisms. Oak trees can life up to 1,200 years or more. If an oak tree or indeed any other tree species is affected by 'Bracket Fungi' (looks like a dark brown piece of foam protruding from side of the tree trunk) call in the services of a registered tree surgeon. They will check if the top canopy of the oak tree has 'dieback' which could mean that the oak tree is dieing, which means it will have to be cut down.
posted by Thomas @ 7:56 pm
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