Is my Olive Tree diseased?

Hi, I'll apologise in advance for my lack of gardening knowledge, I literally am clueless in this subject. However i've found myself in possesion of a fantastic garden olive tree that came with purchase of my proprty a year ago. Recently i've noticed it shedding a lot of bark exposing a green/brown surface underneath. I fear it might be diseased and I'd really hate to see it go...

I've read Harmony Arb's sticky post and i'll try and provide as much information as posible.

The Tree
Species - Olive
Location in its setting - Garden, North East UK
Age or date of planting - Unknown
Cultural operations - Non in the last year

The Site
Soil type and condition - Free draining
Changes -None

The Problem
Trunk bark split, upper bark shedding (green/brown underneath), leaves look ok. Has Ivy growning around the trunk, has been like that since I purchased the property a year ago, assumed it was decorative and no harm. Never seen it produce any fruit as of yet. I have attached pictures.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Alex

 

Looks more like a eucalyptus to me.
If so, bark shedding is normal.

 

How certain are you that this tree is an olive? I note it has a little sign in front of it, but to me it looks more like some variety of Eucalyptus, where the bark shedding would be quite normal.

 

Great minds and all that

 

Well this is embarrassing. I'd taken a picture of it to my local garden store and the guy told me it was an olive, I was further convinced as the leaves looked similar to a smaller olive they had growing in the store.

 

Its definitly a Eucalyptus in my opinion.

 

Well I wouldn't argue with you on that, like I said I have little knowledge in the subject and it appears the three of you are in agreement.

Either way you've answered my question/concern about the tree's health so I thank you for your help

 

It looks a great tree, in good health and worth looking after.
I'd not let the Ivy climb it.

 

Thanks, I was wondering if the ivy would cause any problems. I'll cut it back.

 

Watch out for Koalas, they'll have the leaves off it They don't much care for Olives though

 

On the plus side, if you have a bad head cold boil some leaves into a gloop , and inhale the vapour with a towel over your head, I was advised this by a Dr in Cyprus for my husband, as there are loads of Eucalyptus trees and it`s far superior to "Vick" apparently.

 

Someone read my post!!

Eucalyptus. Looks normal to me. Just try and keep the ivy out of the crown.

All the best,
Matthew