We have been notified of a problem regarding the olive trees at the entrance to Niguel Shores, and we want to alert our homeowners who might be experiencing similar problems with their olive trees. The following letter is from our landscape contractor, Harvest Landscape Enterprises:
Dear Niguel Shores,
This short information letter is to be aware of the olive trees in the front entrance by the gate. Last year Harvest took a tissue and soil sample of six olive trees to test for two pathogens, xyella fastidiosa, and phytophthora. Four of the six came back positive for both pathogens. Xylella is a disease transmitted exclusively by xylem fluid feeding sap insect called sharpshooter Homalodisca vitripennis. Phytophthora is a soil-borne pathogen that can live in the soil for several years. Unfortunately, both of these diseases are non-treatable and will cause the death of the tree. However, great research has been done to prolong the life of the tree for several years. Harvest has and will continue to use an insecticide and a fungicide to treat the trees. These products are used by a tree injection method for a faster response.
Comment: