To Prune or not to Prune, Olive tree

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by HarryS, Jun 30, 2020.

  1. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2010
    Messages:
    8,906
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Wigan
    Ratings:
    +16,246
    I have a standard Olive tree. This was looking very sad, but following @pete advice I have fed it every week for the last 2 months. It has had a spurt of life and looks healthy, but growth is top heavy. I pruned the top third away in early spring. I am now getting some growth from the top of the trunk. Would it be OK to now prune back once again by 50% of the tree head, to try and get a lollipop shape?

    TIA

    20200630_190832.jpg
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    47,723
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +84,381
    I would Harry, start trimming it, or just pinching out to get it more bushy.
     
  3. Vince

    Vince Not so well known for it.

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2008
    Messages:
    1,861
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    North London / Lincolnshire Fens
    Ratings:
    +3,499
    NO, sorry Pete, I'd re pot it into a bigger pot, Olives would have flowered or about to flower about now, they don't need anymore stress, prune in the autumn.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

      Joined:
      Jan 9, 2005
      Messages:
      47,723
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Mid Kent
      Ratings:
      +84,381
      It wont flower because it was cut back, mine never flowers, or rarely because I prune it to stop it getting too big, it reached 10ft last summer.:biggrin:
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • HarryS

        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 28, 2010
        Messages:
        8,906
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Wigan
        Ratings:
        +16,246
        Cheers @Vince & @pete .I do hope one of you is right, as I just pruned it back by about a third this afternoon :) I can't really repot it as it's in the biggest pot I want these days. I think the advised regular small feed regime is working. I'll keep that going until early autumn, and hopefully it should really buck up again next year :blue thumb:
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Vince

          Vince Not so well known for it.

          Joined:
          Mar 10, 2008
          Messages:
          1,861
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          North London / Lincolnshire Fens
          Ratings:
          +3,499
          I have Olive fruits forming on my plants, they were pruned last autumn but I did get a "heads up" from a greek grower!
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • hans

            hans Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 10, 2005
            Messages:
            1,087
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Wales
            Ratings:
            +745
            It will be 'Nobler in the mind' to take above advice. A larger pot for sure. Possibly tea.

            Vince that is extremely fortunate. I was given one years ago but it passed away.. I apportioned blame to the chilly Winters here.
             
          Loading...

          Share This Page

          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
            Dismiss Notice