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Keep your Manzanillo Olive Tree healthy and looking its sculptural best with this watering, pruning, and feeding guide, plus a few tips for managing fruit drop.
Deep water two times a week for the first six to eight weeks after planting. After that, taper off, olive trees are genuinely drought-tolerant once established, and overwatering is more likely to cause problems than underwatering for a mature tree.
Olives benefit from occasional structural pruning rather than frequent shearing, remove crossing branches and thin the interior canopy every year or two to maintain good airflow and the tree's naturally sculptural form. Avoid heavy pruning all at once, spread structural work across a couple of seasons if the tree needs significant shaping.
Olive trees are adapted to lean, well-drained Mediterranean soils and don't need heavy fertilization. A light, balanced feeding in early spring is usually enough. Over-fertilizing, especially with high nitrogen, can push excess leafy growth at the expense of the tree's natural form.
Manzanillo is a true fruiting variety, so expect real olives in season. Sweep or rake up dropped fruit promptly, especially on patios, walkways, and driveways, since the fruit can stain hardscape if left to sit. Watch for scale insects and olive knot, a bacterial disease that can appear as rough galls on branches, both are manageable if caught early.
Bought your olive tree from us? Call anytime, we're happy to advise former customers on care.
Once established, olive trees are genuinely drought-tolerant. Taper watering significantly after the first six to eight weeks, overwatering is more likely to cause problems than underwatering.
Occasional structural pruning every year or two is enough, removing crossing branches and thinning the interior for airflow. Avoid heavy pruning all at once.
Sweep or rake up dropped fruit promptly to avoid staining hardscape. If fruit drop near a specific area is a concern, ask us about placement before you plant.
No. Olives are adapted to lean soils and don't need heavy feeding. A light, balanced application in early spring is usually enough.