How to Transplant an Olive Tree

Olive trees come in two varieties - a fruiting plant and an ornamental plant. Transplanting an olive tree can be difficult. The transplanting needs of both tree types are the same. When transplanting an olive tree, it is important that you make sure their new location is suitable to their growth.

Things You Will Need:

• Shovel


• Pruning shears


• Chalk


• Twine


• Burlap


• Compost or fertilizer


• Mulch

1. Choose the appropriate season. It is best to transplant an olive tree during the spring or fall. Attempting to transplant an olive tree during the summer or winter can cause undue stress to the tree. The transplant may not be successful during these seasons.


2. Prune the tree. Use pruning shears to remove dead, broken or sickly limbs.


3. Keep the soil moist in the days leading up to the transplant. Water the tree generously every two days prior to transplanting it. Avoid watering the plant on the day of the transplant.


4. Mark the orientation of the tree. When transplanting an olive tree, it is important that you maintain the orientation of the tree. Use a piece of chalk to mark the north side of the tree. When the tree is planted in its new location, that mark should remain pointing to the north.


5. Dig up the olive tree. Begin by digging a deep trench around the base of your tree. The trench should be a minimum of 15 inches deep. Use a sharp-tipped shovel. Angle the shovel under the root structure of the tree. Use the shovel to sever all of the roots, while attempting to leave the roots as long as possible. Do not cut the roots any shorter than 12 inches.


6. Gently remove the tree from the hole. Wrap the roots in damp burlap. Secure the burlap using a twine rope.


7. If you need to store your olive tree, you can do so for up to a week. Avoid direct sunlight and keep the burlap moist throughout the duration of storage.


8. Replant your tree. Dig a hole that is two to three times wider in diameter than the root structure of your tree. Plant the tree at the same depth from which it was dug. Remove the twine and burlap from the root structure. Carefully arrange the olive tree in its new location, making sure to orient your chalk marking in the appropriate direction.


9. Fill the hole with soil. If you are transplanting in the spring, fertilize your olive tree. Water the tree routinely during its first year in its new home. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the olive tree to help hold in moisture.