Taking Care of Your Olive Tree
Cultivate beauty with expert guidance for lasting growth.
Discover the art of nurturing your olive tree with our thoughtfully crafted instructional video and detailed watering schedule guide. Each offers expert insights and time-honored practices to ensure your tree flourishes beautifully, bringing timeless elegance to your space.
Planting
Olive trees thrive in well-drained soil and require a sunny location. Avoid areas where water stands after rain or where groundwater seeps into a hole two feet deep. However, they are not desert plants; regular watering is essential for their health. Insufficient water can lead to stress or even death.
Choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily; full sun is ideal. Plant the tree at the same depth it was in the pot, using only native soil (as long as it is well-drained). Do not amend the soil with organic material, moisture-retaining polymers, or fertilizers.
If the tree needs staking, it will already have a stake in the pot. For very young trees, you may need a sturdier stake as they grow. Once the trunk reaches a diameter of about 1.25 inches, staking is no longer necessary. Use the existing stake hole for the new stake, securing the tree with arborist tape. Avoid using wires, hoses, or other materials for support—just a strong stake and the proper tape will suffice.
Following these guidelines will help ensure a successful start for your olive tree!
Fertilzation
Olive trees don’t require a special fertilizer, but a good nutrition regimen significantly enhances their growth. If you plant after mid-August but before March 1, wait until spring to fertilize. Otherwise, fertilize after planting and regularly throughout the growing season, depending on the type of fertilizer used.
Recommended Fertilizers:
We recommend using the basic plant food products superTHRIVE and Triple 15. Since The Olive Tree Co. offers bare root trees, it's essential to avoid any high-nutrient fertilizers that could harm the delicate roots. For further information on fertilization, please feel free to reach out.
Note: Fertilization isn't mandatory and is often unnecessary. However, in rare cases where the plants are experiencing significant stress, we can recommend the vitamins mentioned above.
Organic Options:
Organic fertilizers are available but can be more expensive and may not meet the preferred nitrogen levels. Top dressing with composted manure or kitchen compost is possible but should be approached cautiously to achieve a balanced nutrient profile. Avoid placing compost or fertilizer directly next to the trunk.
Lawn Care Precautions:
If your olive tree is near a lawn, ensure that lawn maintenance practices don’t harm it. Avoid “Weed and Feed” products within 30 feet, as they can damage surrounding plants. Also, keep weed-eaters away from the tree to prevent bark damage.
Pruning
Olive trees typically do not require pruning to produce fruit until they are around 50 years old. While you can prune to shape the tree, be mindful that they fruit on branches that grew during the previous spring and summer. Removing too much of this growth can significantly reduce fruiting potential for the next season.
To encourage lateral growth and make fruit picking easier, consider trimming back upward-growing branches by a few inches. Additionally, remove small interior branches that clutter the tree and may harbor pests or diseases.
If fruiting is not a priority, feel free to shape your olive tree as you like. Following these tips will help maintain a healthy and manageable tree!
Pest Management
The primary pest affecting olive trees outside olive-producing regions is the armored scale insect. While not common, it's important to monitor for this pest, especially if nearby plants are susceptible. Inspect your trees by checking under the leaves and in branch axils for dark, BB-sized bumps. Adult scale insects remain stationary, attaching themselves like barnacles. Signs of their presence include sooty mold on leaves and bark, as well as ants crawling on the tree.
If you find scale insects, you can treat them with various products, based on your preference, or remove them by hand if there are only a few trees. Additionally, be aware that pests like thrips and stink bugs may also target your olive tree. Consult your local garden center or pest control specialist for advice, as regulations may vary.
Lastly, keep ant colonies away from your trees, as they can protect scale insects. Following these steps will help keep your olive trees healthy and pest-free!
Notes for Watering
Regularly check the drip emitters to ensure they aren’t clogged. This is especially important for those using hard water from a well, as calcium buildup can block the emitters. Maintaining good flow is essential for optimal irrigation, so it’s a good practice to monitor them frequently.