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Olive tree pruning

rhiannonpurplerhiannonpurple Posts: 3
edited January 2021 in Problem solving
This olive is around 30 years old and hasn't ever been pruned. 8 feet tall and in a planter 80cm³. How/when should I prune it?

Posts

  • rhiannonpurplerhiannonpurple Posts: 3
    I don't really know! I've always thought it looks a bit spindly and there are lots of bare twiggy branches. I wouldn't want it too bushy as it'd reduce the light coming through. I also think it'd make sense to reduce the height now to save the stress on the trunk when it's very windy. 
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Good evening @rhiannonpurple  My olive tree is to be pruned this week.  My FIL says that you cut away the branches in the middle so that a dove can fly through the centre. Mine is pruned into a rectangle shape, so there are no specific branches that "have to" be clipped off.  I will look for a photo of mine and send on in a minute.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Here is the middle part.
    Ready to be pruned.  Photos taken in the summer.  It doesn't get sprayed with anything, but I do put fly traps hanging from the branches from about March/April onwards, as the flies can lay their eggs in the flowers, which in turn, the larvae are in the middle of the olive.   I hope this helps.  @philippasmith2  advises pruning the top of yours which I think is good as it would make your tree bushier.  You have a lovely little tree which looks perfectly healthy - you can't go wrong - a bit like a haircut - usually grows back!!
    Good luck.
    Tui
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • rhiannonpurplerhiannonpurple Posts: 3
    That's all so helpful, thank you! 
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