Olea Europaea (Olive Tree)

[dieselthedemon]

Does anyone know if an Olive Tree would survive in the South West of Scotland? We have seen a stunning specimen which must be about 150-years old.

[vicky]

I'm not I'd chance it with something that expensive! Could it be put in a greenhouse overwinter? Or fleece, only that doesn't look very nice.

[FionaH]

I dont know much, but I decided not to try an olive tree and I am in surrey, which is a tad warmer. They can be overwintered here in a greenhouse but the small one I looked at would take up my entire greenhouse

[smallblueplanet]

I've overwintered smaller trees outside and when looking for info on it the main point seemed to be, not the cold but the wet. I would think it'd have a better chance of surviving well if you keep it's roots on the dry side.

[MaureenHall]

I've got 3 olive trees, 2 came from Birmingham Gardeners Weekend about 4 - 5 years ago and the other is a tiny 1 that Mum bought me this summer. I've never had any problems with the bigger ones (1 in chicken run and 1 at lottie), they seem fine. Having said that, I've only ever had 1 fruit from them They do look nice though

[Tam]

Where does this olive tree reside at the moment ? If it is in the southeast of England and is moving to the southwest of Scotland it should have no problem as many parts of the west side of Scotland do not get extremely cold weather - this Met Office record from Oban BBC - Weather Centre - World Weather - Average Conditions - Oban shows much balmier winter temperatures than most places anywhere on the east side of Britain.

[dieselthedemon]

Thanks for the replies; my biggest fear is the tree dying on us as it is a substantial amount of money. The tree was brought in from Italy and is sitting in the Barrhead area at the moment, it is absolutely stunning.

[Tam]

I would be inclined to coddle it for its first winter at least - make sure it has a windbreak and throw a bubblewrap blanket over it if their is a likelihood of frost. I have seen an olive grove in Italy with the plants frosted over, but it sounds as if your plant is worth really looking after.

[Woofster]

I have an olive tree/shrub that has achieved a good ten feet in height and nearly the same in girth. It is growing in a south facing position and protected to some extent by the house. It is in chalky soil which is free draining. It has coped with frost and snow but nothing too severe. It must be about ten years old, I would think and so probably could handle quite cold weather in the same way that well established bay trees can. I would agree with Tam, give it lots of TLC until it is established.

[crichmond]

I have had a 100 year old olive tree in my back yard for the last 5 years with no problems at all.

[Johnny Appleseed]

Hi Diesel

We've had one now for 3 years in a pot that we bring indoors every winter. The care instructions we had specified "Not fully hardy" and we live in Hampshire but the nearest I could find was the care guide on the bbc website

BBC - Gardening - Plants - Plant Finder - Olea europaea

We had a handful of small fruit over the years but nothing to write home about but then they are slow growing.