VILLAGGIO VERDE LAUNCHES PIONEERING BIOSECURITY TO TACKLE XYLELLA THREAT
Multi award-winning specialist growers and supplier of olive trees, Villaggio Verde, has today unveiled pioneering testing procedures to help halt the spread of the potentially devastating bacterial disease, Xylella into the UK. Xylella has now been added as a threat to UK horticulture as it is already present in mainland Europe, and fears have risen of it being accidentally introduced to the shores of the British Isles. After recognising the threat, Villaggio Verde started discussions with specialist horticultural scientists more than a year ago to explore innovative methods that they could adopt to assure their customers and the industry in general. Its new, onsite testing zone, located at its nursery in Worcestershire, is run by a fully-trained technician who takes samples from every single Villaggio Verde olive tree. Using the advanced DNA based tests, similar to the well-known pregnancy kit, results are generated in just under an hour. Testing has just started and is now in full operation. Leaf samples are taken from the tree canopy and analysed, providing rigour and reliability. Once tested, the tree is issued with a unique certificate, relating to a security tag, showing the olive tree ‘Tested Negative’. Villaggio Verde has been working closely with Professor of Plant and Microbial Science, Roy Kennedy, from Pershore College (Warwickshire College Group). He has helped train all members of Villaggio Verde staff, showing them exactly how to carry out controlled tests and providing an understanding to the whole team. Professor Kennedy said: “The threat of Xylella is becoming increasingly significant so it was incredibly encouraging to see such forward-thinking in biosecurity from a grower and supplier. By taking the pioneering step of commissioning us to train a technician on how to use the DNA kit, Villaggio Verde is providing certainty in uncertain times and ensuring that all of their trees have a completely clean bill of health.” Villaggio Verde owner Jason Hales is passionate about implementing methods to future-proof our environment against external threats. He said: “We feel education is key in biosecurity. We hope that by implementing this testing protocol we will inspire others to adopt the same process, therefore significantly reducing the threat to our shores and our native flora. “Villaggio Verde has always been the leader in the growing and supply of olive trees and we believe this important initiative will prove to all how serious we are. “We are totally committed to ensuring that anyone purchasing a Villaggio Verde olive tree can be assured of its health and provenance. “For us, it’s about getting ahead of the curve in biosecurity to help gardeners, landscapers, the environment and our industry. With more than 350 known plant species susceptible to Xylella, including basics like lavender and rosemary, it is important that we all source and buy our plants and trees through trusted reputable suppliers. Xylella was first identified more than 100 years ago on grape vines in California and the threat still remains.” The specialist firm, which has more than 20 years’ experience, already has strict methods in place to help ensure it never brings an infected plant into the country. Villaggio Verde only recovers olive trees from commercial olive groves in Southern regions of Spain and Portugal where there is no cover crop or vegetation for the spittle bug, the main vector, to live. Olive trees are tested in various parts of the grove before the trees are removed, before being containerised and taken to the nursery, where they stand on gravel with no habitat for the vector. Each tree is pollarded and all vegetation is removed. Over three growing seasons, the trees are batch tested regularly by the Spanish Authority before being moved to the UK for further regular inspections and annual testing by DEFRA. For more information about Villaggio Verde please visit www.villaggioverde.co.uk or call 01886 887822. ABOUT VILLAGGIO VERDE Established more than 20 years ago, Villaggio Verde is the largest grower and supplier of olive trees in the UK. Villaggio Verde offers a comprehensive range of olive trees from young through to ancient specimens, in all forms including wild and natural to more formal and clipped. It also sells gifts made from olive wood, a by-product. The firm has a haul of five RHS gold medals, two Silver-Gilt and one Silver. For more information visit villaggioverde.co.uk or call 01886 887882.
Olive Trees on TV with Alan Titchmarsh
One of our latest adventures on TV was with the well-loved Alan Titchmarsh show – the aptly named “Love your Garden”.
Olive Trees in the sky
They say a picture is worth a thousand words – so rather than try to describe the amazing art installation, where Olive Tree “Bombs” hung up in the air, at the Whitecross Street Party, let’s show you the pictorial record of the making, installing and finished product.
Villaggio Bread with Olives and Cheese
Villaggio Bread with Olives and Cheese Got a breadmaker? Great! Then ring the changes – by adding in some olives (stoned) and a good helping of grated parmesan. Also try: Olives and tomato puree, Olives and fried garlic. Olives and Feta Cheese And olives with pesto is delicious too. Remember to check your recipe/instruction book and adjust quantities of water accordingly.
How to Buy Your Olive Tree
1. First choose your olive tree! From our vast range of olive trees – old, young, ancient and gnarly, even twisted or shaped, there is probably one style – or even one particular olive tree – that’s just right for you. But if you can’t find the perfect tree, just contact us and we’ll SEND YOU A PHOTO or VIDEO of a tree that we’ll select for you. Then you can order it, without even leaving your chair! Important – when picking an olive tree – choose it by trunk! When choosing an olive tree from our range whether it be an actual olive tree for sale on our web site, or ones we have selected and sent you a photo or video of, it is important to choose the trunk that really appeals. Due to the short growing season in the UK, the Olive Tree trunks develop slowly. We are often asked, ‘if a buy a younger smooth trunk, how long will it take to become gnarly’. The answer is simple, it will not become gnarly. If you want an Olive tree with a characterful gnarly trunk then you will need to have one from the outset. The other thing to consider when choosing a tree is the crown (the leafy bit). We prune our Olive trees to encourage the branches to produce more and more shoots which in-turn develop into branches. The leafy bit grows and changes quickly so if you find a tree with the right trunk, do not be put of if the crown appears small it will not be small for long! Right: Here’s a tree that a customer asked us to select for them. The photograph shows the sort of detail you can get, plus one of our team standing next to it gives a great idea of height. We are happy to provide a 360 degree video of an olive tree too – simply ask and we’ll email it to you. 2. Young and smaller Olive Trees Smaller olive trees are packed carefully in robust cartons to protect them in transit. Then we usually deliver these ourselves on our own transporters from one of our UK bases, or for more remote/special orders we can arrange for courier delivery to suit. Left: Packaging the selected olive tree. When you receive your olive tree, you will be able to plant or repot it where you wish. 3. Moving a mature Olive Tree Mature olive trees are also carefully transported. Normally we will carefully “contain” the leaves and branches to prevent damage, then we will place onto a pallet and transport by truck. Very large and old olive trees can weigh a LOT! Please remember that after wrapping the crown of the Olive tree there will be some damaged bits to prune off. This is not a problem and infact at the point where you prune, multiple new shoots will grow. Access to the delivery address. For old, large olive trees, or if you have any concerns about access, we will discuss a full delivery strategy with you. Questions to ask yourself: What are the access situations to get to the final planting place? Walk through the route the olive tree will be taking from the road to the garden – eg: through archways, alleyways, overhanging trees or roofs. Also think about the driveway surface? Is it level? Stepped? Gravel? We’ll need to know as much as possible to ensure we can find the best way to get you the perfect tree. Sometimes we can work out the best access with you (For example, a number of properties in London simply don’t have any other access to their gardens than through the house) But the important thing is we’ve supplied so many olive trees, there’s no delivery issue we haven’t seen – and that means we’ve usually got the answer! 4. Delivering and setting your large olive tree When we discuss delivery over the phone we’ll sort out the best times and dates to deliver your tree. It will be delivered on a pallet. If you require assistance planting or repotting please ask at time of booking. This is an additional service, but as specialists in olive trees, we have many excellent gardeners and landscapers on our books so we can advise at time of ordering. 5. Once your olive tree is delivered…. Of course the next stage is all about where you want the tree, how it will be sited and, of course, how big that Olive Tree actually is! Here’s a fairly standard scenario with the siting of a large olive tree at a house in the countryside. The hole had been prepared at the right size (we tell you what size over the phone, according to the tree you buy). The soil here was perfect, well drained and not too rich, so a few bags of John Innes compost Number 3 were added into the hole before the gardener sited the tree. For this project the contractors used a telehander to put the tree into position. There are 1000’s of local farmers around the UK who are normally happy to oblige. Extra information on how to make the most of your Olive Tree “Potting” your Olive Tree Many people tell us they want to site their olive tree in a large pot on their patio or balcony. Of course if it’s a balcony tree you’re after then you don’t have much choice and a pot is the way to go… However, if you want to give the illusion of a pot for your olive tree, or raise your tree above the ground, but at the same time save on money and work – consider “building the pot around the olive tree”. Here’s how to build your own “pot” for a potted olive tree Starting place: Here’s where you start thinking about the combination of the tree you want, and the space you have. You’ll know what sort of olive tree you want – old and
Villaggio OliveTrees in a Wonderful Wedding Venue
Villaggio Verde were delighted to be involved in providing the 5 ancient Olive trees transforming the magical courtyard and barn venue.
Villaggio Verde Support Children in Need with DIY SOS ‘The Big Build’
Villaggio Verde were delighted to support the DIY SOS team during project ‘Little Miracles’ at the Spinney in Peterborough.
Olive Trees in Art Installations
Olive trees looking resplendent in this inspiring art installation by Siobhan Hapaskas called “The sky has to turn black before you can see the stars” (presented by Index Gallery). There were 5 cubes each one 3m x 3m , each tree trunk had a small vibrating motor attached to it, which made the tree shake. The installation was staged at the Brunel Goods Shed, Stroud. Your might like to know the fate of the trees after a week of shaking… Siobhan has repotted the trees and is coaxing them back to health!
Villaggio Olive Salad
Villaggio Olive Salad Add a handful of black olives and crumble some Feta cheese into chopped fresh tomatoes, cubed cucumbers and some sliced spring onions. It becomes a great staple summer dish, though we cannot work out if it’s supposed to be called a Greek Salad or a Shopska Salad – guess many other countries have their own version too. This needs to be eaten outside, surrounded by olive trees.
Villaggio Tuna and Olive Toasties
Villaggio Tuna and Olive Toasties Arrange some grated cheese and a few thinly sliced black olives onto a slice of bread, and grill for a few seconds until the cheese melts and turns light browh. Drain and mash up a tin of tuna with some mayo, and a few sliced black olives. Assemble your toastie with a slice of bread, the tuna/olive/mayo mix in the middle, and the one-sided cheese on toast on the top.
