How to prune Olea europaea

For a pot-grown olive, remove dead, diseased or dying branches. Tip-prune a main branch back to a good replacement shoot only when size control is needed.

Plant coveredOlea europaeaOlive tree (indoor) · outdoor garden

Identify the plant part and the reason for removing it

Choose what to remove

Candidate cuts are dead, diseased or dying branches and the tips of main branches on a pot-grown tree when size control is needed.

Pruning removes damaged or diseased growth, retains an attractive shape, and restricts the size of a pot-grown olive.

Decide whether to prune now or wait

Prune at the right time

Prune Olea europaea in early spring. Restrictive pruning for a plant grown under glass also belongs in spring.

Cut only the selected part

Make one clean cut

Remove dead, diseased or dying branches, and tip-prune the main branches back to a good replacement shoot when limiting a pot-grown tree.

Stop when the pruning goal is met

When pruning will not help

Watch the cut and new growth before pruning again

Care for the plant after pruning

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