Pruning the olive tree is a very delicate but essential process if you want to obtain a good harvest: here are all the techniques you need to know A symbol of peace and rebirth, the olive tree is a plant that grows luxuriantly in our country and is typical of Mediterranean areas. From its fruits, olives, one of the best and most versatile products in the world is obtained: extra virgin olive oil. We Italians are great producers, so much so that this precious green gold is undoubtedly one of the assets of our territory. Do you also want to grow olive trees? Don’t worry: it’s easier than it sounds. But you have to pay attention to pruning, which is perhaps the most delicate moment. Let’s see how it goes.
The olive tree, the characteristics of the plant
The olive tree (scientifically called Olea europaea) is a fruit tree in the Oleaceae family, which also includes shrubs and ornamental plants such as ash and jasmine. Its origin is uncertain: it is believed to have its roots in Asia Minor, where the wild olive tree has grown wild in lush forests since ancient times. The plant then spread to Greece and later to the entire Mediterranean, where it is now grown for food purposes (both for the consumption of olives and for the production of extra virgin olive oil). It is a slow-growing evergreen tree, as its fruiting begins 3/4 years after planting and peaks after at least 9/10 years. It is also very long-lived, as it can live for more than a thousand years in ideal climatic conditions. The leaves are lanceolate, silvery-white on the underside (where they are thick) and deep dark green on the underside. Towards the end of spring, the plant blooms: it is a riot of small white flowers that offer a wonderful show. The fruit is a fleshy drupe called an olive: there are many varieties, all rich in interesting nutritional properties. In general, olives provide significant amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are helpful for cardiovascular health, and antioxidants, which reduce the risk of developing many diseases. Extra virgin olive oil is obtained from the pressing of the fruit: used as a condiment, it is the basis of the famous Mediterranean diet and seasons each dish and provides valuable nutrients to the body.
When should the olive tree be pruned?
In olivecultivation, pruning is one of the most important steps. It is therefore important to know how and when to carry it out: any intervention should be aimed at the well-being of the plant and should be practiced in the best way. First, let’s look at the right time to prune. It must be said at the outset that there is no single rule that applies to all olive groves: times change depending on the climate and the geographical region in which it is located. However, it is usually possible to determine the best months for cuts. A first procedure, called dry pruning, should be carried out between the end of winter and spring (i.e. between the months of February and April). This is the main procedure to be carried out when the plant is in vegetative dormancy before a new flowering begins. In warmer regions, pruning can be brought forward to January or February, while in northern Italy it is better to wait until April or May: the olive tree is indeed a very hardy plant, but it fears that the cold and its pruning may expose it to diseases if it is carried out in unfavorable weather conditions. If necessary, you can carry out a second pruning (the so-called green cutting) during the summer season: However, this procedure should be kept to a minimum. Its purpose is to remove dead or severely diseased branches, but also to remove shoots and shoots that could harm the plant and its crop. What you should avoid at all costs is early pruning, that is, in the months of November and December, because it could wake up the tree in its dormant phase.
How to prune the olive tree
We have seen when to prune the olive tree, now we just have to find out what are the most useful techniques for pruning. First of all, it must be remembered that any “scar” exposes the plant to possible diseases: for this reason, it is important that you use clean and well-protected tools, in excellent condition. You should also be careful not to ruin the bark, which protects the plant from pests and fungi. The type of cuts to be made differs depending on the age of the olive tree.
Breeding, pruning
In the first few years after planting the plant, it is important to intervene with regular pruning to give it the proper shape. This type of intervention is called breeding pruning and is usually carried out until the olive tree is three or four years old. How is it practiced? First, immediately after planting your plant, cut the stone about 60/70 cm from the ground. This is where the main branches are born: choose three or four of the most robust and vigorous, removing the weakest ones, which would only deprive the tree of valuable nutrients. In the years following the first, your olive tree will gradually take on the shape you have chosen. During this time in its life, the plant develops a lush canopy of leaves, which it must keep under control to prevent the branches from intertwining with each other or going out of the shape of the tree. Therefore, when pruning, pruning should be kept to a minimum. Once you’ve established the basic structure of the olive tree, all you have to do is remove the shoots and buds, i.e. the vertical branches that grow on the trunk or branches.
Production cut
Around the age of four, the olive tree begins to bear fruit. At this point, constant pruning will begin, which is carried out at the end of winter (or in spring, depending on the geographical region). In this case, we are talking about production pruning: in fact, pruning is no longer about shaping the plant, but about making it as fertile as possible. To do this, you first need to make sure that your hair continues to grow exuberantly while maintaining the right balance. So remove the branches that cross and those that stay in the shade all the time – they may not be productive, but they still drain nutrients from the rest of the plant. This way, you will allow sunlight and air to circulate well in the foliage and revive the olive tree. It is also important to reduce the overproduction that could be caused by the phenomenon of change (i.e. a particularly olive-rich year followed by a very bad season).
