Successful Pruning Of The Olive Tree In 10 Key Points

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:57 pm

1 Spring pruning

Prune from March to May, once all risk of
frost. Otherwise, in case of cold weather, the recently pruned olive tree
is more fragile because its sap content and therefore its humidity are more
important. In the same way, we should avoid big prunings during hot weather.
heat…

2 Well equipped, in complete safety

The good pruning is first of all the one that protects
the pruner, both because the solidity of the tree is allowed but also because
but also because he equips himself with the right protective equipment and
and uses the right techniques.
3 From the structure
First of all, it is necessary to create or recreate a
structure for each olive tree, whatever its stage of
stage of development, an essential condition for being able to carry out
to be able to carry out a maintenance or fruiting pruning.

4 An adapted pruning: as many prunings as there are
pruners?

The pruning of olive trees must take into account
the variety, the age of the olive tree, the density of plantation, the climate, the
production, the type of fertilization, the frequency of pruning, the
protection strategy, canopy management, maintenance and harvesting equipment
maintenance and harvesting equipment and labor…
So many parameters which make that a choice of adapted pruning on a farm
will not be appropriate for another.

5 A maximum of leaves for a minimum of wood

The leaf being the key organ of production
thanks to photosynthesis and the old wood feeding less well the fruiting
fruit-bearing branches, it is necessary to favour a beautiful foliage,
close to the trunk.
If the path between the roots and the branches to be fed is too long, shorten the trunk!

6 Branches in the sun, wood in the shade

An optimal condition for fruiting with good feeding of the
good feeding of the branch is of course its exposure
its exposure to light. On the other hand, a wood exposed to the sun by a
pruning on the top will age prematurely, burned by the sun.
sun. It is thus necessary to create a well of light in the heart of the tree while
while protecting its structure with the foliage.

7 Clean cuts

Leaving snags protruding is
counterproductive because they will automatically
will automatically be loaded with suckers. Cutting too close to the
branch will weaken it. The trick: leave a stump
length equivalent to the radius of the cut section to achieve the
the right compromise after healing.

8 Production pruning:

a place for each and each branch in its place
By giving a place to a branch, we limit the competition with
competition with its neighbors and we favour its fruiting and its branching
branching, thus optimizing production. Eliminate the vertical branches
those which cross, those which obstruct the branching, the double
duplicates… it is to favour the 2, 3 and 4 years old branches, thus the
yield.

9 The right fruiting pruning

upward on the top / downward
descending in the middle and bottom of the foliage
Let the branches go up to the top of the tree and encourage their
branching to protect the wood and produce. You must not
not open too much, nor topped! Elsewhere, practice the fruiting pruning
also called under arch, cascade or hanging to eliminate the oldest
to eliminate the oldest branches and encourage the branching of the
the remaining branches and thus optimize the load.

10 The search for balance

Between leaves and fruits, between growth and
to ensure the quantity, quality and regularity of the production, between
production, between the foliage and the root system, between the
between the protection of the structure and the exposure of the fruiting branches,
Balance is the key word for a successful pruning!