Charles' tips on caring for the false olive tree

This tree is almost endemic to South Africa and has a wide distribution. It grows up to 10m tall in warm moist areas, but usually only 4 to 5 metres in the garden, a greyish green, with a somewhat drooping crown. 
   The leaves are willow-like, with a dark green, hairless upper surface and a whitish underside. The flowers are tiny, creamy white and borne in dense sprays usually at the ends of branches. The flowers have a honey scent and appear from spring to summer.
   This fast growing tree is an excellent, quick screen plant which grows up to 800mm a year. It is evergreen, frost-hardy and drought-resistant, and has masses of flowers. The flowers attract insects and therefore insect-feeding birds into the garden. 

General reference: Trees SA

Charles’ tips for care of this tree:

• Rapid growth of this tree can cause “top-heavy” situations, especially in sand, causing it to topple over with its relatively unstable root system. This can be avoded by careful pruning and crown reduction.
• Keep a layer of mulch over feeding roots.
• Leaves are often mottled by short green caterpillars which attract robins, batis and apalises to feed.
• New lime green growth contrasts beautifully with older dark green leaves.
• This tree enjoys good dense topsoil and doesn’t mind strong sea-wind conditions.
• Although drought-resistant, avoid planting in sandy locations without food or water, causing a pale, moribund appearance.
• When pruning: This tree has hard, slippery bark, making access a challenge. Secateurs are needed for deadwood. Angular branches can be aesthetically accentuated.