Content
- The older the olive, the more gnarled the trunk
- Gnarled tribes only come with age
- Trunks of old trees mostly hollow
- Take care when casting
- Wrap trunk in winter with coir mat
- What to do if the bark flakes off?
- Tips & Tricks
The older the olive, the more gnarled the trunk
From Tuscany and other olive growing areas, the ancient and impressive trunks of centuries-old olives are well known - these ancient journeymen are simply part of the landscapes of the Mediterranean region and offer an imposing sight.
Gnarled tribes only come with age
Young olive trees still have a straight trunk with a smooth bark.The known knotty individuals with the fascinating trunks are usually already many decades, if not centuries or even years old. This is related to the specific growth habit of the olive, as its trunk turns over itself over the years again and again. Moreover, it is not uncommon, if a tree - even after many years - divides into several tribes. Basically it can be said that the older the tree, the more gnarled it grows.
Trunks of old trees mostly hollow
At a young age, the trunk of an olive grows to about one centimeter per year per year. Olives grow extremely slowly and usually are not particularly high: In the wild or on plantations, the tree usually reaches a height of up to 15 meters - in many cases, but less. Instead, the stems are getting wider and are also hollow inside. Also numerous depressions, adhesions and even holes in the trunk are not uncommon. Such features belong to the essence of the olive and are not to be seen as signs of illness.
Take care when casting
If you are casting room olives or have an olive tree in the garden, you should avoid reservoirs in the growths and depressions of the trunk. Such accumulation of water quickly leads to rot and can thus affect the health of your tree - therefore keep the trunk as dry as possible.
Wrap trunk in winter with coir mat
The olive is used to a dry and hot climate and therefore does not tolerate frost. For this reason, you should protect your tree from the cold in winter. At best, wrap the trunk with a plant heater (looks like a string of lights) and over it with a thick coconut mat. Do not forget to cover the roots as well as the crown.
What to do if the bark flakes off?
If your tree gets too much frost, the bark can split or burst. Especially young, not heavily woody specimens are prone to it. Seal the wound (s) with a bark balm (Lac Balsam, so-called "artificial bark") and wrap bast around the spot. Make sure, however, that no mushroom growth has spread yet. Patentkali ensures that your tree is better and faster.
Tips & Tricks
When buying an olive, make sure there are no cell proliferation on the trunk and branches. This olive is from the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae or Acrobacterium tumefaciens and mainly affects young trees. The tree can not be treated and the trees will be within a few years.