In every leaf of the olive tree lies a story of its health; to understand each is to unlock the secrets of its vitality.

“Leaf” No Stone Unturned: 

What Olive Leaves Can Tell You

About Your Tree?

Olive trees are not only beautiful but also hold great value as the source of olive oil, brined table olives, and other lesser-used products such as wood and medicinal elements. Keeping your olive tree healthy and vigorous requires a basic knowledge of optimal growing conditions, as well as the various types of leaves that they produce. Understanding the appearance of various olive tree leaves can tell you a lot about your tree's health, and help optimize the growing conditions to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Dual-Generational Leaf Development 

One of the most important characteristics to recognize about olive trees is that they produce two distinct types of leaves — juvenile and adult. Juvenile leaves are round, smooth-edged and have lighter-toned green hue, while adult leaves are elongated, narrow and are darker green in color. Under normal conditions, olive trees start producing adult leaves at  2-to-three years of age.

Leaf Color as a Diagnostic Tool

If the leaves are small and pale-green, it might be a sign that the tree is receiving insufficient levels of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. Similarly, if the leaves are yellow, it could mean that the tree is suffering from insufficient water, or that the saline level of the soil is too high.

Conversely, dark green, glossy leaves are saying the same thing to an olive tree owner as a scuba-diver’s thumb’s up, a universally recognized sign that everything is A-OK, no worries! And speaking of, it’s worth noting that  scuba divers and olive trees share a common, potentially existential risk: too much water in the wrong place is really, really bad for them. 

Other Signs of Leaf Distress

Another thing to look out for is the appearance of spots or holes on the leaves. This could be a sign of a pest infestation or fungal infection, which can severely affect the health of the tree. It's crucial to identify the problem early-on and take the necessary measures to nip the problem in the bud (pun very intentional) to stop the spread of the infection or pest attack.

Olive trees can also produce “variegated” leaves; those with varying colors or patterns. This can be due to either genetic mutations or environmental factors such as significant temperature or light changes. The good news is that  variegated leaves do not necessarily affect the health of the tree. The better news is they can add a uniquely captivating aesthetic appeal to the tree’s foliage presentation.

Changes in color linked to nutrients

Being hands-on with your olive tree’s growth is rewarding for both owner and tree. But maybe time is an issue, or you simply don’t want to take any chances when it comes to the well-being of your tree. 

But for those who are not quite the “Hands-on” type but can still appreciate the olive tree as a landscaping jewel, we’ve created the ARBORGUARD Expert Care service.

This professional tree-care package, which includes scheduled service calls by our expert technicians; fertilizer supplements; regular health assessment and controlled pesticide application when needed.

A New Chapter in Your Book of Olive Tree Knowledge 

And now some congrats are in order! Just by reading this article on olive tree leaves, you’ve picked up some pretty useful and potentially money-saving facts about this darling of the luxury landscaping scene:

- Olive leaves differ with the variety of tree

- Their appearance is a window into the tree’s overall health

- Changes in leaf appearance usually require corrective action

- Key indicators to watch are size, color and texture 

And while “reading” the leaves of your olive tree might not make you a fortune-telling tasseomancer (mystical leaf-reader), you will become a more informed and effective protector of your olive tree’s health and beauty.

Seeing Is Believing 

The surprise take-way here is that a key element of the olive tree’s uniquely robust set of survival traits aren’t even part of its above-ground splendor.

And the importance of knowing not only the strengths, but also avoidable risks that can affect the tree’s health is  valuable intel for anyone who owns or is considering the purchase of an ornamental olive tree.

Take a look at what healthy olive trees look like and visit our online gallery. 

Better yet, turn off your computer and (literally) visit our Bangkok nursery and show gardens, where you can stroll among mature and rare ornamental olive tree varieties in actual landscaping settings. 

We’re happy to answer your questions and offer expert advice on olive tree care and varieties.

Book your personal Century Olive Tree tour today! It’s fast and convenient on our official LINE account, or call +66 9896 82666, +66 9339 33666.