Olaf's Bio
B.S. Agriculture
M.S. Plant Pathology
Ph.D. Plant Pathology
Diploma in Tropical
Agriculture
Olaf has over 30 years experience in diagnosing
plant health problems nationwide and overseas. He has consulted with Arborists nationwide on saving historic trees and with
urban foresters on issues dealing with trees in urban areas.
Published a sourcebook on Phytophthora (1978)
420pp. Co-author with Dr. Don Erwin (University of California), of the book Phytophthora Diseases Worldwide published by APS Press (1996). 592 pp. Both, presently used in over 80 countries. 2nd Printing 2005.
Published over 50 scientific papers in refereed international journals. Also published several popular articles
on plant diseases and tree preservation.
Article published about my work with trees on the front page of the Wall
Street Journal. God Can Make a Tree, But Olaf Ribeiro Can Save Its Life. Plant Pathologist Roots Out the Causes
of Disease; It Just Takes Spade Work by Susan Warren October 13, 2006; Page A1
Reviving the Ancients:
A Pre-Eminent Doctor is Saving Heritage Trees through the Soil. Seattle Times, NW Magazine. January 14, 2007
Appearance on the NBC Today Show. June 2007
Segment on Channel 5 Evening Magazine on saving historic cherry trees. October 2007.
Consulted both, in the U.S. and overseas on solving plant healthproblems in various crops,
trees, ornamentals and turf.
Invited speaker at numerous National & International meetings
and conferences.
Presently completing a book on The Effect of Composts, Amendments, Fertilizers and
Biologicals on increasing or decreasing plant diseases. Helped a client break the world
pumpkin record by using the right mulches and manures. Pumpkin weighed 1500 lb. Presently helping giant pumpkin growers nationwide
to try and break the current world record.
Presented workshops to arborists in Alabama and seminars to arborists
in Missouri, California, Washington & Oregon.
Has given a series of seminars to arborists in Britain
on Living with Complexity: Factors Affecting the Tree’s Vital Life line, The Tree as a Complex
Dynamic Organism, Overview of the Relationships in Vascular, Root and Soil Environments and The
Dynamics of the Tree-Fungi System.
Olaf is the owner of Ribeiro Tree Evaluations, Inc. (formerly Ribeiro
Plant Lab, Inc). An Arboricultural & Landscape Consulting Company based on Bainbridge Island, WA.
