Tips for successfully growing an olive tree Olea europaea

How to make an olive tree grow faster?

As for the environment, the roots will develop better and faster in a warm and humid environment. The last thing to do is to keep your olive tree in a dry place. Ideally, you should put it in a greenhouse.

How does the olive tree grow?

And although the olive tree grows very slowly, about 12 to 15 cm per year, it can live several hundred years.

How big can an olive tree be?

There are at least 5 subspecies of Olea europaea in the Mediterranean basin and more than 2000 varieties of olive trees are currently registered. Each country prefers certain varieties. Mature trees are generally between 2 and 10 m high in cultivation, but can reach up to 20 m in natural conditions.

Which fertilizer for olive trees?

The easiest way to fertilize olive trees is to apply a complete soil fertilizer, i.e. a fertilizer that contains the main fertilizing elements: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

When should the olive tree Olea europaea be pruned?

The pruning of the olive tree takes place in spring, from March to mid-May.

How to shape an olive tree?

Prune the branches that grow inside, keeping the main branches that will favour air circulation and therefore pollination and fruiting; shorten the branches to give the olive tree the desired shape (one ball, several balls, cloud shape, free shape, etc.)

How do you determine the age of an olive tree?

The age of an olive tree is approximate in the case of older trees and can be determined by observing the trunk: smooth and long in the case of young plants, with cracked bark and a gnarled trunk that looks more and more like the trunk in the case of older trees with age.

How to prune an olive tree that is too high?

Remove branches that grow straight up, especially those at the top of the tree, which are thin and brittle. Also trim the branches in the center of the olive tree to prevent the inside of the martini glass mold from becoming too thick X Research source.

How to plant Olea europaea?

This beautiful Mediterranean tree should be planted in the open ground in spring in the south of France. In regions north of the Loire, it should be planted in a container and moved under cover in winter. The olive tree should be planted in stony soil that does not retain water.

In which soil should an olive tree be planted?

Most olive varieties do not like calcareous soil. They all prefer a slightly acidic and well-drained soil. Soils with a high clay content present a risk related to water management (too much water in winter, too compact in summer).

At what depth should an olive tree be planted?

In general, it is necessary to dig a hole at least one and a half times the width of the root ball and at least 80 cm deep for the olive tree you have just bought.

When to plant Olea europaea?

Containerized olive trees can be planted all year round, but the best time to plant them is between March and June, in spring.

When should I water the olive tree?

The olive tree should be well watered immediately after planting. It is best to water in the evening, late in the evening or early in the morning. The frequency of watering depends on the age of the tree. For an olive tree that has been planted for less than two years, water it generously every week in case of high temperatures.

How can I tell if my olive tree is short of water?

The difficulty is that the symptoms of root strangulation are identical to those of drought. The cause of drought can of course be lack of water, but also anything that impedes or interrupts the flow of sap: damage to roots, to bark (including frost).

Should the olive tree be watered?

Although the potted olive tree is drought tolerant, its resources are limited, so it should be watered regularly but not excessively when the soil surface is dry. Water once or twice a week during the hottest periods of the year, especially in summer and in the absence of rain.

The olive tree is an emblematic fruit tree of the Mediterranean basin that can reach up to 20 meters in height and live for more than a century. To promote its growth, it is important to choose a well-drained soil adapted to its nutritional needs. When planting your olive tree, make sure to respect a sufficient depth to avoid exposing the roots to the open air. Regular pruning will also improve the quality of the fruit while stimulating production. Finally, it is important to pay attention to the water needs of your olive tree so that it can develop properly without being thirsty or drowned. Follow these simple but effective tips to make your Olea europaea cultivation a success!