Additionally, they don’t require much maintenance if they are growing in the right climate. This is why they are an ideal crop for farmers who cannot easily visit their lands to work and maintain them on a consistent basis.
There are several diseases and fungi that can adversely or negatively affect olive trees. But, if they are grown in the proper climates that don’t retain much moisture in the air, which is ideal for fungal growth, they have a better chance of not contracting these diseases. Some pests that harm the olive trees are Olive Flies and Olive Moths, which either nest in the olives or eat their leaves and fruits. From my research, only certain areas throughout the West Bank are prone to these pests, and they can be prevented by using pesticides and keeping the surrounding area around the tree clean and free from fallen fruit and weeds.
While disease and pests are a natural harm to olive trees, within the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem, there are reports of humans purposely harming olive trees. Thousands of olive trees have been uprooted or chopped down by Israeli settlers who are motivated by ideological and political beliefs in doing these types of acts. These intentional attacks on olive trees and crops owned by Palestinian farmers cause many economic losses and negative phycological effects on the original owners of the land.
