Olive Trees Arborist Report 2007

July 12, 2007
Olive Trees Inspection

Job site:
Residence
Shady Canyon
Irvine, Ca.
Contractor:
On July 3, 2007, I inspected three Olive trees (Olea europa) located at the
newley constructed residence. I was contacted by Karen and informed that
two Olive trees were dead or dying.
Overview
The Olive trees are mature old grove trees transplanted into the landscape,
15’ high x 15’ wide on average.
The trees have been in the ground for one year. Each tree was planted with
the hole over excavated and a base of gravel was installed. Each tree has 2
vertical drains. Three Olive trees were in various stages of decline. The
irrigation system seems to be over watering.
Site observations
ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST

P.O. Box 247, Laguna Beach, CA. 92652 • Tel: (800) 811-3010 Fax: (800) 811-3014
E-mail: Craig@EnvironmentalDesignsArborist.com • Web: www.EnvironmentalDesignsArborist.com
1
Tree #1
Olive tree located at rear yard fence. 15’ high x 15’ wide. Large root flare
with 5 trunks, DBH 9”. 100% dead leaf on branches. Some broken
branches. Vertical drains observation; 30” below finish grade, 12” standing
water. The soil is sandy clay with an acid PH of 4.0. PH reading was
obtained with a hand probe in the field. Tree is dead.

2
Tree #2
Olive tree located near back yard pool. 15’ high x 20’ wide. Large root flare
with 4 trunks, DBH 6”, 90% dead leaf on branches. 10% of green leaves are
at branch tips. Vertical drains observation; 33” below finish grade, 10”
standing water. The soil is sandy clay with an acid PH of 4.0. PH reading was
obtained with a hand probe in the field. Tree is stressed.

3
Tree #3
Olive tree located at corner of garage next to driveway. 15’ high x 20’ wide.
Large root flare with 5 trunks, DBH 5”, 2”, 5”, 4”, 6”. 10% dead leaf on
branches. Some broken branches. Vertical drains observation; 30” below
finish grade, 16” standing water. The soil is sandy clay with an acid PH of
5.5. PH reading was obtained with a hand probe in the field. Tree is
exhibiting early stages of stress.

4
Action taken
• None.
Recommendations
Tree #1
• Replace. Remove all gravel and soil around old tree and replant with
new.
Tree #1 & #2
• Pump water from vertical drains
• Reduce watering schedule
• The soil requires the addition of lime to bring it's pH level to 7.0-8.0
(alkaline).
• Drill or core 6 vertical 1” diameter holes around root ball + 24” away
from root flare, take care not to damage large roots. This will allow
oxygen to infiltrate the soil.
• Remove berm around trees and slope soil to atrium drains so surface
water is carried away.
• Prune broken branches only, keep all remaining branches.
• Apply superthrive per manufacturer’s specifications.
Roots
Roots support the tree, store energy reserves, absorb water, and with the help
of root-associated fungi, absorb elements that are essential for life. There are
woody roots and nonwoody roots. The woody roots are large support roots and
smaller fine roots, The nonwoody roots are nonmycorrhizal or mycorrhiza—
associated with fungi.
The anatomy of roots is basically the same as trunks. The roots have a vascular
cambium, bark and wood. There is no pith in the center of roots. The roots usual-
ly have more parenchyma cells and fewer fibers. The distinction between growth
rings is not as clear in roots as it is in trunks. Roots do not have a normal,
colored, core of heartwood. The anatomical changes from trunk to root occur in a
transition zone at the base of the tree. There is seldom an abrupt anatomical
change from trunk to root. If there is a pith center, the section is trunk and not
root.
Roots, like branches and twigs, also age and die. As roots die, boundaries form
that resist the inward spread of pathogens. When nonwoody roots die, a corky
periderm —boundary — forms that separates the nonwoody infected root from
the healthy woody root.

5
Summary / Conclusion
Thank you for calling on my services with your questions regarding your
Olive trees. The 3 Olive trees were in various stages of decline due to root
rot brought on by standing water in the root zone. The one dead tree is to be
replaced and the 2 other trees need to have the root zone free from standing
water. The soil PH is acid and needs to be treated with lime to provide
optimum growing conditions. The watering schedule needs to be monitored.
With proper care, your trees should be able to compartmentalize the disease
and remain healthy. In the future, a pathogen to be cautious of is; Armillaria
Root Rot (Oak Root Fungus)Pathogen: Armillaria mellea
If you have any questions concerning this report or if I can be of further

service to you, please call me at any time.
Craig de Pfyffer
Certified Arborist
Certificate # WE-6533A
Expiration Date: 6-30-2010
Disclaimer
Although all the recommendations in this report are based on sound and
accepted horticultural practices, the author cannot be held responsible for the
final outcome of the recommendations, or any liabilities associated with this
project. Tree inspections, in this case, do not cover internal cavities,
structural defects, or diseases with non visible symptoms.

6

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July 12, 2007

Olive Trees Inspection

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST

If you have any questions concerning this report or if I can be of further

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS ARBORIST

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