Pix help.

Dan

What olive trees want is a mild Mediterranean climate, like that of coastal southern California. There might be something about your weather or the pathogens present at this time of year that adversely impacted your tree.

Dan wrote:

Pix help.

They'd probably help more if I had both "before" and "after" pix. Unfortunately, what's left on the tree probably won't be all that helpful.

bboy wrote:

What olive trees want is a mild Mediterranean climate, like that of coastal southern California. There might be something about your weather or the pathogens present at this time of year that adversely impacted your tree.

That makes sense--thanks.

Just take your pot and move it to a more sheltered, dry location then.

Dan

Dan, it's not in a pot. It's out in the yard. I'm thankful at least that no deers have bothered it yet. :)

Oops, I meant "deer," not "deers." :)

Dan, it's not in a pot.

Oh, dear.

Is there a nursery around there claiming olives are a good idea in that area?

Nonetheless, without pictures not much we can say - maybe it wanted a pollinator.

In general olives are adapted to climates that are the opposite of the American south and southeast. Before today, I didn't know anyone down there that put them in the ground.

Dan

Cultivar mentioned is being promoted as a dwarf tree that will grow take more cold. Garden centers etc. here have all had it, for a few years now. Maybe here in western USDA 8, with our modified Mediterranean climate some will actually persist. But back there the punitive summers will also have to be survived.

Is there a nursery around there claiming olives are a good idea in that area?

A nursery? Exactly how would little kids know anything about olives?? Those brats probably just want to chew bubblegum and watch TV!!! LOL. :)

Seriously, I've read about the Arbequina, and it's supposed to be one of the most cold-hardy varieties. But you gave me an idea--I think I'll e-mail the company in Florida that I ordered the tree from and see if they may know what's going on.

Nonetheless, without pictures not much we can say - maybe it wanted a pollinator.

OK, just for you, Dan, I'll plan to take some pretty pix tomorrow. :)

In general olives are adapted to climates that are the opposite of the American south and southeast. Before today, I didn't know anyone down there that put them in the ground.

Well, if the company that grows them is located in Florida, those plants must be able to take some heat, assuming they're outdoors in the warm months.

Cultivar mentioned is being promoted as a dwarf tree that will grow take more cold. Garden centers etc. here have all had it, for a few years now. Maybe here in western USDA 8, with our modified Mediterranean climate some will actually persist. But back there the punitive summers will also have to be survived.

Are you talking about my zone (7B) when you mention the punitive summers? Yes, they do get pretty warm. But at least they're not like Texas's summers or anything. We may reach the 100s a few times a year, but some summers we don't hit the 100s at all. The highest average daily high is about 91-92 in late July.

Oh, here's an interesting tidbit I found off the Web:

Portland, Oregon plant expert Sean Hogan discusses Arbequina and other olive varieties in his book, Trees for All Seasons (Timber Press, 2008). According to Hogan, Arbequina is "hardy to 0 degrees F or even a little below and ripens fairly well in cool summer climates."

http://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/resource_search.php?term=2620

I uploaded some pix of my olive tree. As I suspected, they're not terribly helpful: :)

Olive tree

And I got a helpful response back from the nursery where I purchased the tree. This is what the guy had to say:

Olives, like all fruit trees, make exponentially more flowers than fruit. Only about three percent of the flowers can be expected to develop. A small tree will usually make only about half a dozen fruit. Very dry or windy conditions can exacerbate the situation. Keep your tree well watered during the first few months. Many people incorrectly assume that olives should seldom be watered. While mature, established olive trees are famous for drought resistance, young or newly planted trees should be treated like any other newly planted tree.

I can't do anything about the wind, but I think I'm going to water the tree more at least, even though the leaves look fine. Anyway, it doesn't sound like the lost blossoms are anything to be terribly worried about.

It's the eastern summer wetness combined with the heat that "melts" plants not adapted to it.

Well, hopefully mine won't melt. :)

Yes indeed, focusing would have helped a lot. Nonetheless, can't see anything particularly wrong with the tree. Once its established, at least the care in theory should be minimal for a half-dozen olives, provided the tree makes it in that climate.

Dan

neptune24, Just thought I would let you know that there is a Texas Olive Oil industry. It's southwest of San Antonio in what would be considered zone 8b to zone 9. Do a google search. There is some good info. out there.

I'm thinking your going to be a little bit cold for them to produce in your area. It could be the same as what you see in fruit trees and chilling hour requirements.

As far as growing it for a ornamental it is rather attractive. There is one down the street from me that is very nice looking(DFW area). It does not appear to have any damage from our past harsh winter. We had both 100 and then 50 hours below freezing which did the most damage to palms from here all the way down to San Antonio and over to El Paso. Best of Luck!

Check out what is called "Olive Thermal Adaptability Zone for Texas" on google.

Dan wrote:

Yes indeed, focusing would have helped a lot.

I tried, but I'm not the world's greatest photographer. :) Anyway, I'm glad the tree doesn't appear to have any serious problems.

dricha wrote:

neptune24, Just thought I would let you know that there is a Texas Olive Oil industry. It's southwest of San Antonio in what would be considered zone 8b to zone 9. Do a google search. There is some good info. out there.

Cool, thanks.

I'm thinking your going to be a little bit cold for them to produce in your area. It could be the same as what you see in fruit trees and chilling hour requirements.

As long as the tree lives, that'll be fine. :)

Best of Luck!

Check out what is called "Olive Thermal Adaptability Zone for Texas" on google.

Thanks, I'll check that out.