If you’re wondering when to prune olive trees in the UK, the answer is not for a while. It’s a common misconception to prune olive trees in autumn ready for winter, so keep those clippers away!
When to prune olive trees in the UK
Typically, you prune an olive tree between late spring and the end of summer. If you prune in winter, this can leave the tree susceptible to diseases. However, when it comes to working out ‘how’ to prune them, it all depends on the variety of olive tree and where they’re planted.
How far back should you prune Olive Trees?
If you are pruning for maintenance, then pruning branches at the centre of the canopy will let light in for new growth. And if you want to shape your tree, remember less is more so be cautious not to over clip! The ideal shape for an olive tree is wine glass, with three to four main branches opening from the main trunk. Also, if you want to encourage a young tree to develop a good shape, wait until your olive reaches about 1.5m in height before clipping. However, more established trees should have any dead or damaged shoots removed each spring, along with any branches that spoil the shape. Although don’t prune too hard as this can produce lots of vertical shoots diverting strength away from the main tree.
Should I shape my Olive Tree?
If you are pruning your olive tree into a certain shape, the style comes down to personal preference.
However, there are popular shapes that such as the mono-conical ‘Christmas tree’ and the poly-conical ‘vase.’ For most homegrown olive trees, aim for an open vase shape. It’s worth remembering that maintaining a desired shape is important. So prune out any thin or weak growth from within the crown to allow air and light to penetrate through the tree. This is especially important if are growing olive trees for small gardens, as light filtering through the tree will help to increase the sense of space.
If you’re looking for a tree online take a look at our award-winning selection.
