Home > Question >

How much can I prune an olive tree and when should I do it?

Our Advice:

Early spring is the best time to prune an olive tree. Start by removing any dead, damaged, diseased or dying branches, then cut back by two-thirds any long, bare, straggling branches. To keep a balanced shape, tip prune the main branches, cutting back to a good replacement shoot each year.

Here are some related questions:

Not what you are looking for?

If you can't find what you are looking for on the website then you can ask one of our experts. To get in touch with us Click Here

We will try to get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.

Here is some more information for you:

Did you find this answer useful? Subscribe to our newsletter for gardeing news, projects, special offers and competitions.

Ask another gardening question:

Learn More About Pests and Diseases

Gardening Projects for December

---

How to Protect Containers

How to keep Containers Well-Drained

How to: Maintenance Pruning

How to take Hardwood Cuttings

Latest Gardening Videos

---

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

How can I stop my roses suffering from wind-rock?

How do I treat liverwort?

Why are there brown / black marks on my Hellebores?

How should I overwinter a potted Canna lily?

When and how should I prune a jostaberry?

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Sydney, Australia

Keukenhof
Lisse, Netherlands

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
Pamplemousses, Mauritius

Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

RHS Garden, Wisley
Woking, United Kingdom

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Tokyo, Japan