Olive tree

Mature olive tree is showing signs of sickness. I trimmed the top of the tree last year and since then the top appears to be dying back with leaves being a lighter green to those near the base which are dark green. Any ideas please?

 

Here is a full length pic so you can see how the top part appears to be dying

 

I do wonder if there's simply too much competition for nutrients and moisture in that bed. The lower growth looks pretty healthy, considering we're just out of winter most in the UK will look even worse.

 

Hi

Are you in the UK ? IF YES that looks like frost damage ... what protection to you give the plant over winter ?

 

The bottom half is protected by the fence, but the top isn't, so I would take a guess that it is weather related. As you don't give your location it's hard to say whether it's too late to prune it now. This is usually done in late winter/early spring.

 

I find mine to be as hardy as old boots, but I think really cold winds can damage them.

Also when did you cut it back, as it would promote growth which if it was done in summer, the growth could still be soft so susceptible to frost.

 

@pete we thought ours of many years was also tough as boots until way back in 2010 we had -15 for many days. Sadly that was the end.
@Gary Jenkins We have an evergreen shrub, Azara serrata. The top is very exposed to the winds (and so many these days) and the cold. The leaves at the top look as though they have been eaten while the lower parts are absolutely fine. The tops do grow back when the weather is better. Maybe the same is happening with your olive.

 

Well yes, minus 15c for days is kinda Arctic weather, I think mine has survived minus 10c overnight on a couple of occasions.