How big does a sweet olive tree get?

Published by Anaya Cole on

How big does a sweet olive tree get?

20 to 25 feet
Description: Sweet Olive, a large evergreen shrub or small tree, is capable of reaching 20 to 25 feet in height and width but is most often seen at 10 to 12 feet high with an 8-foot-spread. Older plants grow as wide as tall and develop a vase shape with several main trunks typically originating close to the ground.

How fast does sweet olive grow?

This shrub grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24″ per year.

Does sweet olive need full sun?

For best performance, plant the sweet olive in fertile, moist but well-drained, slightly acid soil in full sun to partial shade. Fertilize lightly in spring when growth begins with a slow-release, complete fertilizer if the leaves seem a bit pale.

How cold can sweet olive trees tolerate?

If the cold sets in gradually and the air is dry, olive trees are hardy down to 10 to 17°F (-8 to -12°C) and have been known to survive temperatures as low as 0 to 4°F (-15 to -18°C). But if moisture and water join the game, all is lost.

Are sweet olive trees messy?

Although their gnarled trunks and shimmering leaves make them a stunning addition to the yard, there’s no two ways about it: olive trees are messy.

Can sweet olive be grown in pots?

A native of the orient, sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans) can become quite large in its native regions, but grown in pots it is easy to trim and keep at whatever size is best for you.

Do sweet olive trees have deep roots?

The root system development method is mainly determined by the nature of the soil. In some cases, it is reported that olive trees developed roots, which had reached 40 ft. (12 meters) in width and 20 ft. (6 meters) in depth.

Can you leave an olive tree outside in winter?

Potted olive trees can be left outside until late September, early October, and should then be brought inside until the beginning of May.

Do you need to cover olive trees in winter?

Olive trees are hardy but may require some winter protection for the first few years. In heavy snow or particularly severe winter weather even established trees may be damaged but are easily protected with a wrap of hessian or fleece.

How do I keep my olive tree small?

You can also keep down the height of the tree by pruning out the tallest branches. This is often important when you are pruning olive trees in containers. Use thinning cuts, not heading cuts, since the latter will stimulate new tall growth.

Do olive trees have invasive roots?

A. Olive Trees have a shallow root system, they are not know as an invasive tree, though you should never plant a tree within 10 feet of the home foundation. The Olive Tree roots are known to surface and can be damaged easily by mechanical equipment.

How close to the house should an olive tree be?

Spacing between trees: Standard, 18-25′ Miniature, 6′

Can olive trees grow in pots?

If you don’t have a garden or you’re short on space, you can still grow olives. They will happily grow in large pots – just make sure they have plenty of sunshine! Choose a pot at least 600mm wide.

Do olive trees come back after a freeze?

“When an olive tree freezes to the ground, our soil temperatures are warm enough that the roots aren’t killed, so the tree will start over,” he said. “We have some trees in the area that were planted in the 1970s and have frozen back to the ground many times.

Can olive trees withstand frost?

Additionally, olive trees can survive the occasional weather as low as 20℉ (-7℃), but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures will kill olive trees. More than 3–5 days of freezing weather can cause severe damage to your olive tree. Olive trees can survive freezing temperatures that do not last for more than a few days.

Can you stop an olive tree growing too big?

How do you stop an olive tree from growing too tall?

Remove all growth from below the main fork of the olive tree. Remove any downward-facing branches. Thin out the remaining parts of the tree, cutting out any branches that are growing through others. On healthy trees, you won’t need to remove too much growth.

Where’s the best place to plant an olive tree?

For olive tree care outdoors, plant your olive tree where it will get a minimum of 6-8 hours of sun per day, and preferably full sun all day with plenty of light. Choose a site with very well drained soil; olive trees don’t tolerate heavy, clayey soils and it must drain easily.

Can olive tree roots damage walls?

The olive tree, fully grown, reaches heights of 40 feet with a canopy 15 feet wide. Take into consideration that the roots will extend even farther out than the crown of the tree. Planted too close to a structure, the roots can damage the foundation.

Can you keep an olive tree small?

If you grow an olive as a houseplant, choose a dwarf variety. Dwarf olives can grow to 6 feet, but you can prune them to keep them shorter. Some gardeners prefer to grow these trees as bonsai.

Categories: FAQ