Pathetic olive tree - what can I do?!

[Sarahlouise]

I have been growing an olive tree in a container for 3 years now, and it is incredibly spindly. It is about 6/7ft tall but only has a few branches, but does produce fruit each year. What can I do to encourage it to thicken out? Should I remove the fruit to encourage it to use its energy elsewhere?

[ameno]

Has it been in the same container for three years? If so, it probably needs repotting.
And either way, potted trees need regular feeding and watering. You can't just leave it be and expect it to do well like you could with a plant in the ground.

[nickdub]

A move to somewhere near the Mediterranean would be optimal - personally I'd pick the Algarve.

[Snoop Puss]

Do you know what type of olive it is?

I'd agree with Ameno: probably needs a bigger pot with newer soil. Might also need to be put in a position with more light. You might be able to put it in the ground and not have to worry about it over winter, but that would depend on the type and your location.

How many branches does it have? Only having a few isn't a problem. But how many is a few? Prune the tips and you'll find it will bush out very readily. But don't prune it now, wait till after you've picked this year's olives.

Hello and welcome, by the way.

[Robinahood]

Mine was like that too, I eventually put it in the ground and it has thrived. Might not be a practical solution for you but if you can, and are on light soil, it will be happier.

[veggiechicken]

Hi and welcome.
I'm impressed that your olive tree is fruiting - you must live somewhere warm.
My olive tree, planted in the ground, is about 10' tall, it flowers, but I've only seen a few scrawny little olives on it in all the year's its been there (about 10 years I think).

[Snoop Puss]

^Maybe it needs a bit of a trim, VC. Just give it a haircut all over and maybe thin out the middle a bit. If you're in sunshiny South Wales, it should thrive. Do you know what variety it is?