Pruning Olive Trees subject is a little off the topic of flowering bulbs but olives have taken a lot of my attention lately. Adding the “Making them Produce Fruit” in my title is a little misleading. I have include some steps at the end for you to review.

I planted twenty two Mission olive trees seven or eight years ago and have only had a handful of little olives. A well known local expert, the owner of the most respected olive press in Glen Ellen initially suggested the variety to plant. He also suggested their location. The trees have been growing on a slight hillside and well watered for the first four years. It wasn’t his advice or the location that I could complain about.

A neighbor is a tree expert. He suggested that I water them more. They were on drip, something just wasn’t working. They should have produced years ago and are quite large now. Watering more apparently wasn’t enough or perhaps even adequate, so now the strategy has changed.

After attending a discussion on olive curing, I read about pruning, watering, fertilizing etc. I still wasn’t quite sure where to begin. I should add that the trees were wrapped in wire fencing. This is to protect them from deer munching since I do not fence my whole property.

Fencing was almost impossible to remove completely.

I learned a bit about what to do. I found that watering and weed control at the base of the tree are the most important things to work on.

The wire kept the base of the tree from being adequately cleared around the base of the tree. So yesterday I had my gardener start the process of removing the wire and dragging out the grass and weeds. That included some kind of prolific purple flowered climbing weed that was cutting off light.

Clearing out the middle and trying to let light hit every side branch is the pruning goal. A goblet or vase shape is rather desirable. It will be a challenge to form these rather large and unruly trees into the right configuration.

I noticed that the branches are covered with lots of little flower buds. That didn’t happen last year, so I have high hopes that at least some of the branches will fruit. I am hand watering them with a hose. I’m letting it run for five minutes at a time per tree while I am pruning.

After an hour or so of work, we walk back up through the pasture to rest for a while. Then we go down again for another hour. While I am working, Cedric is watching me from shady spots in the very tall grass. That will be cut only when the hidden lupines finish blooming.

One step at a time. I have pruned almost half of the trees today!

This tree was the tenth I pruned today. I couldn’t get the wire completely away as it is held in place on one side with a rebar stake. Next week when the trees have all been cleared of weeds and fencing, I can finish this tree. Then we will make quick work of the last dozen of them. One shoot was too high for me to cut correctly, so a ladder will help with the finish. Hopes are finally high for a crop in 2012!

Olive Trees Fruiting Guidance

Key factors to consider when trying to encourage olive trees to produce fruit:

1. Time: Olive trees typically take 3-5 years to start producing fruit after planting. Be patient and ensure the tree is healthy and well-established.
2. Light: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal fruit production. Olive trees love humidity, so consider misting the area or using a humidifier.
3. Watering: Ensure consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering. Check the soil before watering, and water thoroughly until you see water flowing out of the drainage hole.
4. Fertilization: Fertilize your olive tree once in the spring and once in the summer with a well-balanced fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing during inactive growing periods (winter).
5. Pollination: Many olive varieties are self-incompatible and require cross-pollination. Consider planting multiple trees of different varieties to improve fruit set.
6. Temperature: Olive trees need a fluctuation between day and night temperatures and a 2-month period of temperatures below 10°C to produce flowers and fruit.
7. Pruning: Prune your olive tree regularly to promote healthy growth and encourage fruiting. Remove any weak or damaged branches.
8. Pest and disease management: Regularly monitor for common pests like spider mites, aphids, fungus gnats, and mealy bugs, and use neem oil to control diseases and pests.

Additionally, consider the following:

• Some olive varieties are more prone to fruiting than others. Manzanillo and Arbequina are good choices for fruit production.
• Olive trees in pots can be moved to a more sheltered site or into a bright porch or greenhouse over winter. This helps simulate the necessary temperature fluctuations.
• Avoid over-pruning, as this can reduce fruit production.
• Keep an eye out for common olive tree diseases like olive scab, verticillium wilt, and phytopthora root rot. Take measures to prevent their spread.

By following these guidelines, you should be able to encourage your olive tree to produce fruit.