Pruning is an important part of caring for an olive tree.
Pruning olive trees in pots.
Choose 3 4 strong lateral branches to form your main shape and make slanted cuts to.
Pruning involves trimming off some branches completely and cutting others back and when done properly the result is a better harvest of olive fruit and a healthier tree.
Pruning skip out on pruning your olive tree during the first year.
Pruning potted olive trees is done mostly to shape the plant and maintain a short height.
For example the root suckers and water shoots should be removed during the growing season.
Once they are 1 5m 5ft high select three or four of the strongest and best placed shoots to retain and pinch out the others.
However pinching out young plants can help to encourage them to develop a branching shape.
However the regular maintenance and care of an olive tree should be done on a regular basis.
Potted olive trees prefer light pruning yearly instead of severe pruning every two or three years.
The most important fact to bear in mind when pruning your olive tree is that the tree usually bears fruit on the previous year s new growth and never bears it in the same place twice.
Identify branches rubbing against other branches and branches that grow down or at awkward angles.
Cut branches that point downwards.
Larger more established olive trees do not need to be re potted on a yearly basis but will benefit from a small layer of compost spread around the base of the tree.
Pruning is not difficult but there are a few rules to follow for good results.
To prune an olive tree choose a time either in late spring or early summer and make sure your tree is at least 3 4 feet tall before pruning.
Remove branches that have grown from the foot of the tree or along the trunk.
You can prune olive trees in spring or in early summer once the tree begins to open its flower buds.
Always wait to trim until the rains of winter are done since pruning opens entry points for water borne disease to enter the tree.
Your tree will usually flower from late spring.
Hold back one of the branches near the middle region of the tree and examine at the inner branches of the olive tree.
Annual pruning is recommended at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring.
Pruning and training olives grow very slowly so don t require much pruning.
The flowers are self fertile and olives will readily set during the summer months.
