Hi
I have an olive tree that is about 3 years old. Do I need to prune it and if so when and how?

For new trees try to achieve a bare trunk up to about five feet then keep the centre of your tree open by aiming for a goblet shape. Remove all suckers at least once during the summer months. Formative pruning in mid spring and heavier pruning in mid summer and prune fairly hard every three years - keep the centre open!

PS they love seaweed extract

Do you actually get fruit from Olive trees in the UK (I live about the middle of England)?

I did have fruit the year before last but they didn't ripen very well but I obviously need to do a lot of pruning!! Also I had a grape vine growing over the top so the olive wasn't getting full sun but I will be interested to see what it does this year.

Originally Posted by Geordie

For new trees try to achieve a bare trunk up to about five feet then keep the centre of your tree open by aiming for a goblet shape. Remove all suckers at least once during the summer months. Formative pruning in mid spring and heavier pruning in mid summer and prune fairly hard every three years - keep the centre open!

PS they love seaweed extract

Thanks Geordie, that's a big help. I've noticed that there are several thickish stems growing up from the base of the tree, should I cut these down as well and just leave the main stem?

If they are growing from the base of the stem then you need to prune them off as close the the main stem of the tree as possible.

I prune my olive tree every winter around jan or feb as there is always new branches that face downwards, but as yours is still a young tree you may not have this problem.

Mine is a mature tree of about 100 years that I have used to make a feature on the patio.

Thanks Crichmond. Wow a 100 year old olive, that's impressive! Have you had any fruit of it?

Here in Oz they prune the trees so the branches start at about 2-3ft. We have a few in our garden, one it branches at 1ft.
I had read before leaving the UK that it is very unusual to get fruit as it is just too cold.

Hi Blossom
I think it probably is unusual, though there is someone growing them down in the south west as a business, I think. Be interesting to see if they get a harvest. Although I had fruit, they didn't ripen fully but I live in hope!!

2 of my olives have fruited, I got 1 fruit from each

Originally Posted by MaureenHall

2 of my olives have fruited, I got 1 fruit from each

You've obviously got the knack At that rate you'll soon be opening your own olive farm!

Some responses to a UK survey here are interesting:
Know your Olives - East of Eden Plants Guide to Olive Trees
Hope this helps.

I have got a recipe for preparing olives for eating