Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: Olive

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Olive—*Olea europaea**
Family Oleaceae (Olive family)

Plant identification

Olive trees are mostly evergreen trees that grow from 25 to 30 feet tall. Often multitrunked specimen trees can be found. Dwarf forms grow to 12 feet tall. Fruitless types are available. 'Swan Hill' is noted for little fruit and pollen. Fruiting types drop fruit, which will stain pavement and patios. The pollen is highly allergenic.

*Olives are sometimes considered to be invasive weeds.

Optimum conditions for growth

Olive trees can grow in several climatic zones. They do best in full sun. They prefer little water once established. They are not tolerant of saturated soils or lawn conditions.

Leaves and flowers of an olive tree

Pests and disorders of *Olea europaea*
Invertebrates American plum borer Armored scales California red scale Oleander scale Olive scale Branch and twig borers Clearwing moth borers Ash borer Cottony cushion scale Glassy-winged sharpshooter Olive fruit fly Psyllids Olive psyllid Root nematodes Soft scales Black scale Whiteflies Citrus whitefly	Diseases Bacterial leaf scorch (similar to Oleander leaf scorch) Olive knot Olive peacock spot (scab) Root and crown rot (Phytophthora root rot) Verticillium wilt Wood decay Environmental disorders Branch dieback Messy fruit Mineral deficiencies Nutrient and mineral excesses Poor water management Weeds Vertebrates

Olive tree

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How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Olive—Olea europaea* Family Oleaceae (Olive family)

Plant identification

Optimum conditions for growth

Invertebrates

Diseases

Environmental disorders

Weeds

Vertebrates

Olive—*Olea europaea**
Family Oleaceae (Olive family)