One of the most important indicators of an olive tree's health is its leaves. If your olive tree is losing leaves, it could be a major or minor problem depending on the reason. It's important to get to the bottom of the problem before your tree suffers more damage. Read on to find out the causes and solutions to the problem!
Why is my olive tree losing leaves?
There are a number of possible reasons why olive tree leaves fall off. This could be an indication that the plant is not receiving enough light, the temperature is too low, it is having water problems, is sick or stressed, or is simply going through a natural life phase. Below are some of the most common causes, noting that olive trees usually shed leaves from time to time - especially as the seasons change.
Overwatering or underwatering
Olive trees thrive in the dry, hot conditions of the Mediterranean. Therefore, it is not surprising that excessive watering can jeopardize their growth and overall health. If the soil your tree was planted in does not have adequate drainage,the tree canbecome waterlogged very quickly - the roots of the olive tree are small and flat. Overwatering can cause leaves to fall off and roots to rot.
Another common reason for olive trees to drop leaves is dehydration. If the growing plant does not receive enough water, it will drop leaves and wither. You can easily tell that your trees are suffering from drying out,when the leaves yellowbecome and wither before they fall off. How to save your olive tree? Give enough water!
Changing locations can cause stress
If youyour olive treeIf you have recently moved him to a new location, he may need some time to get used to it. Moving from a sunny to a shadier location can “shock” the tree and cause leaf loss, as can high temperatures. Combined with strong winds, low temperatures can be very hard on an olive tree. However, if you wrap him in garden fleece he should be happy.
Insufficient light can harm your tree
This is a very common reason, especially with newly purchased or transplanted trees. Your olive tree will lose leaves in order to produce new leaves suitable for the new lighting conditions. You need to ensure that your trees receive enough light. Aside from the leaves falling off olive trees, you can also tell that your trees need more light if the new leaves appear pale and the tree only grows in one direction.
Stress during transplanting leads to leaf fall
Trees react to stress just like people do. Additionally, transplanting trees to a new environment with different temperature, light intensity, humidity and wetness can cause various stress symptoms, including falling leaves. Another reason for the stressafter transplantingcan be damaged roots. When transplanting your olive trees, be careful with the soil as you can easily damage the roots of the plants during transplanting. Additionally, if you are transplanting the tree into a new environment, you should allow it to mimic the previous environment for a few weeks before fully introducing it into the new environment.
Olive tree loses leaves due to infections and diseases
Olive trees can be affected by fungal infections or bacteria that, if left untreated long enough, can cause the tree to lose its leaves. Giving your trees more than enough water can lead to fungal infestation, which can cause root rot. Root rot occurs when the roots of the olive tree begin to suffocate and die.
Olive knot is a disease caused by bacteria that enter the olive tree through a cut, crack or wound. Olive knots grow up to 5 cm thick and can block the tree's water permeability, causing the leaves to dry out even if you remove the treewater properly.
This disease can cause your olive tree's leaves to fall off, and you can tell your plant is diseased if more leaves fall off a particular branch or region than others. If the leaves fall off after a cut or wound, there is a good chance the tree is suffering from olive knot or another similar disease.
Pay attention to the natural phase of life
Remember that olive trees can shed their leaves when temperatures are low. This means that you shouldn't worry too much if your trees shed leaves in the winter, as the leaves will grow back next spring. Note that olive trees typically shed their leaves once a year, especially if they grow in cold regions.
