Pruning

There are as many opinions on pruning as there are methods. Research on methods of pruning should be easily conducted in various books dedicated to this subject, or in collaboration with an experienced tree professional.
The briefness of this sheet cannot give all the answers and options, and we just want to focus on the interest and necessity of pruning according to your objectives.

REASONS FOR PRUNING

1. Ornament
Your first objective is to improve landscape effect or the shape of the plant, not to produce many olives.
Training the plant on the long term is necessary to obtain or maintain a desired tree form, or special garden forms (topiaries), in accordance with your own objectives and with the environment of your tree (planted in open field or in pots).

2. Fruit formation
You aim to improve production and have regular crops of olives, but this is not incompatible with a smart aspect.

3. Control plant size
When a specific pruning is necessary to limit the height of tree.

4. Regeneration
It may be necessary to rejuvenate an olive grove if it has not been maintained for a long period or if it has suffered accidents, dryness or cold.
In general, it is sufficient to cut away all branches, except the largest ones.

A trunk in very bad shape should be cut at the base in order to start with replacing shoots. The result may look very rough, but next spring the tree will restart and come into young branches.

[ You will find excellent explanations to make pruning, with plans, on the website : www.oleiculteur.com ]