Olive tree pruning is an essential practice to maintain the health of the tree

Olive tree pruning is an essential practice to maintain the health of the tree, improve olive production and facilitate harvesting. Here are the main keys:

Pruning objective

Training: In the first years to shape the tree.

Production: Maintain the balance between growth and fruiting.

Regeneration: Rejuvenate old or damaged trees.

Suitable time

Late winter or early spring (February-April), avoiding frost.

Do not prune in full bloom or when there are developing fruits.

Types of pruning

Training pruning: Direct growth from a young age, forming a balanced crown.

Production pruning: Eliminate dry, crossed branches or suckers to improve aeration and light penetration.

Rejuvenation pruning: In old olive trees, cut main branches to stimulate new shoots.

Basic principles

Eliminate dead, diseased or poorly oriented branches.

Promote the entry of light into the interior of the tree.

Do not make excessive cuts, since the olive tree responds with many vegetative shoots.

Use sharp and disinfected tools.

Common mistakes to avoid

Excessive pruning, which reduces production.

Not respecting the structure of the tree.

Failure to properly remove suckers (non-productive vertical shoots).

Do not disinfect tools, favoring diseases.

We share a video where these keys are explained and some more tips are given for the correct management and pruning of the olive grove: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA6nYSbTVEU