Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter Subscribe You're all set!
For branches in the densest, internal part of the canopy that are between 1—3 inches 2.
Start your olive tree pruning by cutting your way through the bushy leaves inside the tree’s structure. Cut until you reach the main stems, which is easy because the small branches on the inside are mostly dead and with a thin layer of leaves because they had no sunlight. Pruning is an important part of caring for an olive tree. Pruning involves trimming off some branches completely and cutting others back, and when done properly, the result is a better harvest of olive fruit and a healthier tree.
Pruning is not difficult, but there are a few rules to follow for good results. Reasons for Pruning an Olive TreeEstimated Reading Time: 3 mins. Nov 20, Hard pruning an olive tree in late winter or early spring will encourage a flush of new growth which defeats the purpose of the prune.
Cut lateral branches that have become exhausted and weak.
It's better to give the hard prune when the tree has finished fruiting - at the end of autumn or in early winter. It's even better to give the tree a light prune each year to keep the canopy in check.