Olives

[Tonylea]

15 Yr old olives pruned hard in October, 2 absolutely fine, 6 in row dead, 5 died before any pruning. Any thoughts please. 

 

[Paul in the woods]

Any pics? Where are they, what soil are they planted in (not too wet etc), any signs of disease, any damage etc?

[Tonylea]

They are in a claggy clay soil, planted close to North facing wall with sections of trellis in between pillars, in the summer the soil dries out and cracks. Sorry no pics

[Khriss]

They enjoy full sun , elsewhere in the world . K

[Khriss]

( hopefully not Xylella     ) 

[Paul in the woods]

Assuming the poster is in the UK then it would be very unliekly to be Xylella.

 

I would grow olives in the UK in free draining soil in full sun. Just checking the RHS advice ( https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=138 ) it says waterlogging can be a problem and cause root rotting.

 

Are you sure they are dead, olives can regrow from seemingly dead wood.

 

[nepia]

1 hour ago, Tonylea said:

They are in a claggy clay soil, planted close to North facing wall with sections of trellis in between pillars, in the summer the soil dries out and cracks. Sorry no pics

You've been trying to kill them from the outset!  Olives want heat and sun, sun, sun in well drained ground.  The conditions you describe would suit willow better

[Tonylea]

What sort of tree report should be done on the olives, what should it include and how much will it cost.