Wrinkled Branches On Tea Olive Plant

Q: My tea olive plant is six feet tall and well-established. Recently limbs have developed wrinkled areas on the branches, beyond which the leaves die. Is it too much water or a fungal infection?

A: It’s just delayed cold damage. Last winter’s cold partially froze the limbs, but not enough to kill the limbs outright. They might even have had green leaves until recently. But finally, the damaged limb rots through completely, causing the wrinkled stem and brown leaves. You can prune them out whenever you have time.