Olive Tree Pruning

17 years ago

I have a Manzanillo Olive "bush" that has been in the ground for 3 years. It is now about 8' x 8' and in need of pruning for shape.

What is the best way to prune an Olive the first time? It is on the hill above the patio and so needs pruning for that aspect. Do I prune out the middle and leave the long-wand-like branches? Anyway, any help will be much appreciated.

Comments (7)

calpat
17 years ago
I just typed in "olive tree pruning" at google and got several sites. I'm interested as I think I'm going to get a olive tree soon as I find out what growing zones are best for them. I use to cure several gallons of olives every year. They were great, can't hardly eat a canned olive anymore. Hope google helps you out! Pat
CA Kate z9
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the suggestion, but I already did that and wasn't really happy with any of the results. I cobbled together a few pieces of info, but didn't really find the total info I want. I would like a good looking, well-shaped tree that still produces some fruit. Around here they hack/mutilate the large yard Olive trees... and they look it. I guess I'm wanting a tree that really looks nice as a specimen, so I want to do this first pruning correctly.
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Hello, Thanks for the information. It is good to know that they can withstand some severe pruning or in this case (branch loss). You said that you already have some olives... when can I expect to see them budding? They are about 2 years old now, should they fruit this summer? I have attached two pictures that show the tree. Some of the branches are starting to look a little droopy but the leaves still look healthy. http://photos.gardenweb.com/garden/galleries/2007/05/olive_tree.html This second picture shows the break and how I tied it to try to restore some symmetry. http://photos.gardenweb.com/garden/galleries/2007/05/olive_tree_break.html Regarding pot size - you can see it in the picture they are roughly 18 inch pots at the moment. I expect that I will have to upgrade to bigger pots some day but they seem ok for now. I kept them on my enclosed porch for the winter and they did fine. It is not heated but does not freeze and receives roughly half of day of sun. Any comments are appreciated. Even if it is to yell at me for doing something wrong. :) Thanks, John
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Recently become proud owner of 70 olive trees. Surprised to discover there are at least 252 varieties! For new trees try to achieve a bare trunk up to about five feet then keep the centre of your tree open by aiming for a goblet shape. Remove all suckers at least once during the summer months. Prune during the winter and prune fairly hard every three years - keep the centre open! If you don't spray , burn all prunings.
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While olives may be quite drought tolerant when established, they DO appreciate watering during very dry spells. It is suggested to water 1-2 times per month in summer, with a slow deep soaking (not a sprinkler) - no water in winter. A soaker hose or drip irrigation are very efficient methods of slow water delivery. Flowering and fruit production depends heavily on proper pruning practices. Production is heaviest on one year old wood and you want the tree canopy to be vase shaped, open and airy. There is an old Italian saying regarding olives that you want to prune them so that a "swallow can fly through them", meaning that light and air are allowed to penetrate into the center of the tree. This link offer good pruning tips and a helpful video. What is causing the dieback is impossible to determine from just the photos. If you resided in this country, I'd suggest taking in photos and samples to a plant pathology specialist (via extension service) for diagnosis but not sure what similar services you may have in Turkey. This link provides an excellent overview of olive care and cultural requirements plus outlines a number of disease pathogens - some quite serious - that can affect olives in a manner similar to what you are seeing. Regardless, any dead portions should be removed but until you are able to ascertain exactly what is causing the problem, I would suggest sterilizing any pruning equipment between cuts. But my first order of business would be to locate someone local to you to properly diagnose any possible disease issues.
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youreit
17 years ago
According to the AHS, Olea is in pruning group 1, which means, when dormant, "remove wayward or crossing shoots to maintain permanent, healthy framework," for what it's worth. :)

Brenda
bahia
17 years ago
So fast growing, that I would recommend pruning it to thin out congested growth, crossing branches, and open it up and allow the longer branches to get more tree like. I usually end up shortening the downward longest lengths of branches as well, to get the tree to be abit more vertical. I also typically will prune out some of the competing leaders, to form a main framework of 4 to 6 main vertical trunks. Don't be afraid to prune it heavily, you really can't hurt an olive, and it will need it again in 6 months time in any case...
CA Kate z9
Original Author
17 years ago
This is kinda what I thought, bahia; but I got thrown by something I read on one of the Google sites. It said that to watch where you cut because you only get new growth within 6 inches of the cut. I don't want to end up with a bunch of "witches hands." Have you found this to be a problem?
bahia
17 years ago
No, I haven't Westelle. I suspect this refers to not leaving stubs when you prune. If you are always pruning to a side branch, in essence thinning and heading back, you can also shorten extra long young willowy branches, and they will tend to have multiple new shoots near the cuts. I think it is the nature of Olive trees to want to be very dense and shade their own roots, probably as a defense against long hot summers and drying winds. To open them up as young plants will take continued pruning, as they want to "recover" their density if left to themselves.
CA Kate z9
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for your input, bahia.. I think I'll do a little thinning for form and just leave it more bushy for the time being.

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Olive Tree Pruning

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calpat

CA Kate z9
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bahia

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Olive Tree Pruning

Comments (7)

calpat

CA Kate z9Original Author

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youreit

bahia

CA Kate z9Original Author

bahia

CA Kate z9Original Author

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CA Kate z9
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CA Kate z9
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CA Kate z9
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