Pruning Olive Trees

Why prune? Pruning encourages light and air into the center of your olive plant, helping prevent pests and diseases.
When to prune? In order to maintain a manageable size and regulate production, you should prune your olive plant in early spring.

NOTE: This is part 8 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow olive trees, we recommend starting from the beginning.

Pruning Tips

  • Olive trees will usually bear on the previous year’s growth but keep in mind that they never bear fruit in the same place twice. Therefore, you should carefully prune to avoid alternate bearing.
  • If you prefer a single trunk shape, prune suckers and only branches that are growing below the point where branching is desired.
  • If you prefer a gnarled effect of several trunks, stake out basal suckers and lower branches at the desired angle.

Latest Articles & Videos

Rooted in ServiceRooted in Service The Stark Bro's Story of Leadership in Gardening Excellence At Stark Bro’s, we’re proud to be veteran-owned and veteran-operated, bringing the values of service and dedication directly into the heart of gardening. With over 200 years of history, we know that the strongest roots grow from a commitment to quality, integrity, and community. Our leadership upholds these principles, guiding every plant we nurture and every customer we serve. Here, we don’t just grow fruit trees; we grow relationships and legacy.
Harvest basket full of applesHarvest basket full of apples Preparing Your Garden for a Successful Fall and Winter As summer comes to an end, it’s time to give your fruit trees and berry plants the care they need to thrive through the colder months. Proper fall maintenance not only protects your plants from winter damage but also lays the foundation for healthy growth come spring. Here’s your fall checklist to help ensure a smooth transition into the next season.
Preparing a garlic bedPreparing a garlic bed How to Prep a Garlic Bed for Planting Preparing a garlic bed properly is essential for growing healthy, productive garlic plants. Garlic is usually planted in the fall, as it needs a cold period to establish strong roots before spring growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your garlic bed for planting.
citrus treescitrus trees How to Care for Citrus Trees in Containers & Successfully Grow Citrus Indoors Imagine filling your home with the vibrant scent of citrus blossoms, while enjoying fresh fruit all year long—even if you live outside the ideal growing zones for citrus! Growing citrus in containers makes this possible, allowing you to bring the beauty and flavor of citrus into any climate. With optimal care, citrus trees can bloom and bear fruit multiple times a year, adding both color, fragrance and flavor to your living space.

Popular Olive Trees

Tools & Supplies for Olive Trees