What's the lifespan of an olive tree?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.How to grow olives that may endure for generations starts with an appreciation of its growth potential. Trees in Crete have been documented to exceed 2,000 years old - and they continue to produce fruit! My mentor had a 450-year-old Arbequina tree, and its twisted trunk bore witness to wars and droughts that the previous owner successfully navigated, in large part due to the care provided by my mentor.
Soil & Drainage
- Plant in slopes with 30% gravel content
- Test drainage: 1 gal (3.8L) water percolates in <2 hrs
- Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers promoting soft wood
Disease Management
- Copper sprays applied pre-rainy seasons
- Remove suckers hosting olive knot bacteria
- Solarize soil biannually in humid climates
Rejuvenation pruning makes the distinction between survivors and losses. Every fifteen years you will want to remove 30% of the old wood to ignite new growth. A tree, in Spain, that was 180 years old, returned to production after we created a rejuvenation pruning plan and executed it over two years. Always use sterilized saws - old trees will heal slower than young trees.
Structural Support
- Install steel cables in split trunks
- Fill hollows with breathable foam
- Prop heavy limbs with wooden braces
Microclimate Control
- Plant windbreak species 20 ft (6m) away
- Apply white latex paint to south-facing bark
- Install drip lines beyond root zone
Soil archeology unveils secrets to durability. Under a Greek tree aged 900 years, we glimpsed alternating layers of charcoal and shells, old amendments that are still playing a role in stabilizing pH. In the modern age, growers similarly employ crushed limestone for buffering. Legacy soils can last beyond civilizations if managed with some insight!
The decisions you make about planting olives are not without consequences for the future. The tree you plant today could, by chance, see dawns in the 22nd century. I helped preserve and pass on the genetics of trees grown from cuttings of an ancient tree and subsequently grafted onto a new rootstock. It is these heirlooms, alive and braving time, that require little from us while offering possible immortality for their 4-inch-wide branches that will bear fruit for a year.
Read the full article: How to Grow Olives: Step-by-Step Guide for Home Gardeners
