The right pruning is part of the perfect care of an olive tree. But when is the right time and how much has to be cut?
You can't do too much wrong when pruning your olive tree (Olea europea). Especially if the tree is used for decoration and no value is placed on a particularly high olive yield. Because an olive tree is extremely pruning-tolerant and will also sprout again from old wood. This makes it the ideal bonsai for beginners. Nevertheless, a skilful pruning not only supports the appearance of the robust southerner, but also the well-being. We'll show you how to make the cut.
When should you prune olive trees?
The best time to cut Mediterranean potted plants is in spring after the winter has finished and before flowering. However, smaller cuts can be made all year round if there is no danger of frost. A sunny, warm but not too hot day is best. This minimizes the stress that the tree is exposed to when cutting. If you want to harvest olives, it is advisable to keep the pruning as moderate as possible in early spring, because the tree always buds in the previous year. The more the annual shoots are shortened, the fewer the number of flowers and fruits.
Pruning the olive tree: a guide
The olive cut keeps the crown in shape and removes dead or diseased parts of the plant. Ventilation and sufficient light supply in the crown are also important reasons for pruning the olive. A distinction is made between three forms of pruning: the maintenance cut, the educational cut and the inner crown cut. The maintenance cut can be carried out all year round. Here you remove:
- Dead plant parts
- Sick parts of plants
- Regrowing shoots on the trunk or in the root area
The training cut and the inner crown cut both serve to shape the crown.They are important for a long-term and orderly crown structure. The two cuts can be done in one. Proceed as follows:
- Plan the edit well in advance
- Use clean and sharp scissors
- Removal of diseased and dead shoots
- Removal of shoots that grow inwards or crosswise
- shoots from the previous year are cut back so that all leaves get light
- Main shoots should be longer than side shoots
- Larger wounds are closed with wound balm or wax
If the goal is to have a crown that is as dense as possible, several strong branches are cut back. This may be repeated in early summer with new growth.
Note: Avoid cutting the main shoots as each main shoot has a main root. If you cut off one of the main shoots, the associated root will also die.
Should you prune olive trees radically?
Actually, when pruning your olive tree, less is more. But from time to time a more radical pruning may be necessary, for example if the tree is not he althy. A he althy tree should not be pruned radically, because in our climate the olive tree needs a very long time to fill in the gaps that have arisen. If it does become necessary, the radical pruning is only done in spring. This is when the plants have the most vigor as they have rested over the winter.
"Another important care measure is the repotting of olive trees. You can find more information here.