Olive Trees

Olive tree varieties and for sale

Olive trees varieties and for sale in Australia. Growing olive trees, olive tree varieties and olive tree nursery details. Olive trees are widely grown in Australia as a commercial crop for both fruit and olive oil. Olive trees make a great hardy tree for the home garden and many varieties can easily be grown in pots or containers.

Olives are traditionally from a Mediterranean climate, and they do perform well in these conditions. Basically dry warm to hot summers and wet winters. Olive trees do need a cold winter period to flower properly, as a guide a period of temperatures below 12C (53F), however, temperatures below 8C (46F)are not suitable.

In cold climates olive trees will still grow, however they will not produce good fruit and may need to be overwintered in a greenhouse.

How to grow Olive Trees

Olive Trees are perhaps the oldest cultivated tree in the world, with a history dating 100s of years to pre roman times.
These are a slow growing, long lived evergreen tree valued for their fruit and the olive oil produced from it. It is interesting to note that Olive Trees are now being used as ornamentals and as windbreaks, many vineyards now use olives as a boundary. Olive Trees were planted outside the Sydney Opera House some 50 years ago, they are still going strong.

Pruning Olive Trees

For best fruit production, olive trees do need to be pruned, this is done from early on so that the tree grows into a form that is open, well shaped and easy to harvest.

1. First remove any suckers
2. Remove downward facing branches
3. Open the tree up so that fruit ripens more easily.
4. Try not to prune to hard with older trees.
5. Light regular pruning is best, so start early.

Olive trees prefer a cold winter and a hot dry summer, they do well in South Australia and Victoria. Olive trees need a well drained soil however they do appreciate watering during summer, soak once a month in dry periods, and fertilization will help promote growth. Olives prefer full sun and will grow well in pots. To promote increased fruit size olives can be ‘thinned’ on the tree. Olives are preserved by using salt, or a saline solution, olives ‘raw’ from the tree are bitter and inedible.

When planting out a young olive tree, dig in well rotted manure and remember to stake the plant, best time to plant is in autumn, although olive trees are hardy and can be planted throughout the year. If planting during warmer months remember to water on a regular basis.

More Information.

1. All Olive trees produce olives that are both green and black. The colour depends on how ripe the olives are. Eventually all olives will ripen to black.
2. Olive trees can all produce both edible fruit and olive oil. Some varieties are better at one than the other.
3. Fruit production will commence once the trees are around 3 – 4 years old, with some varieties taking u to 6 years. generally the amount of fruit increase as the tree ages. A mature tree can produce as much as 18 kgs or 40 pounds of fruit in a year.
4. In cold climates olive trees will still grow, however they will not produce good fruit and may need to be overwintered in a greenhouse.

Olive Trees are available for sale from the following nurseries 

ADVANCED TREES DIRECT - Tel: 0403 150 033
Online discount Tree & Plant nursery - selling direct to public at wholesale prices. Growers of quality advanced & semi advanced ornamental trees & plants. Personally & professionally delivered to your door. Order online or call
www.advancedtreesdirect.com.au

TURNER'S GARDEN CENTRE- ph 07 3341 5214
473 Miles Platting Rd Rochedale Brisbane 4123 
Specializing in fruit trees, including apple trees, citrus, avocado, mango, olive, macadamia, lychee, pawpaw and others. Also herbs and edibles. 
www.turnersgardencentre.com.au

BLERICK TREE FARM 
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service. 
www.blericktreefarm.com.au