If you planted an olive tree this spring, you’ve taken the first step toward growing one of the most iconic and enduring trees in history. Known for their silvery foliage, longevity, and of course their fruit, olives thrive in warm climates but need extra attention in their first year, especially when cooler weather approaches. A young tree, fresh from its first season of growth, has spent the summer establishing roots and producing shoots. By fall, the focus should shift from rapid growth to preservation and protection, ensuring it weathers winter successfully.
How Olive Trees Transition in Autumn
Unlike many deciduous fruit trees, olives are evergreen. That means they retain their leaves year-round, but their growth slows in fall as they redirect energy toward their roots and hardening of new wood. For a first-year tree, this is a delicate stage—it must conserve energy while adjusting to cooler temperatures and shorter days. Your role is to support this transition by managing soil moisture, insulating roots, and guarding the trunk against potential cold damage.
Watering and Feeding Practices
By late summer, any fertilization should be discontinued. Pushing nutrients at this time can encourage late-season growth that will not be resilient to frost. Instead, allow the tree to harden naturally.
Watering remains important, however. Olive trees are drought-tolerant once established, but first-year specimens are still vulnerable. Keep watering during dry spells through fall, giving deep soakings that reach the root system. Stop only when the soil begins to freeze. Hydrated roots are better prepared for winter dormancy and less prone to injury from cold snaps.
Mulching for Root Zone Protection
Mulching is a key strategy for helping young olive trees survive their first winter. Spread a two- to three-inch layer of organic material such as straw, pine needles, or bark around the base of the tree. This stabilizes soil temperatures and prevents damage caused by repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to discourage rot or rodent damage. In regions where winters are harsher, adding a thicker mulch layer or even covering the base with breathable frost cloth can provide additional insulation.
Protecting the Trunk and Canopy
Olives are naturally adapted to Mediterranean climates, so sudden temperature swings in fall and winter can stress young trees. Wrap the trunk in a breathable guard or frost cloth to protect against sunscald, frost cracks, and gnawing rodents. If you live in an area prone to freezing, consider building a simple frame around the tree and covering it with burlap or frost cloth when temperatures dip. For potted olive trees, bring them into a protected area such as a garage or greenhouse to prevent root freeze.
Cleaning and Seasonal Maintenance
As part of fall care, clear away fallen leaves or debris from around the tree’s base to minimize pest or disease pressure. Any damaged or diseased branches can be pruned out, though save heavy pruning for late winter or early spring when the tree is fully dormant. Keeping the planting area clean and the tree free of stress will set the stage for healthy growth next season.
Final Fall Check
Before frost arrives, confirm that mulch is in place, the trunk is wrapped if needed, the soil is moist but not oversaturated, and the orchard floor is clean. These measures, while simple, can mean the difference between a tree that struggles and one that thrives in its second year.
🛒 Where to Buy Bare Root Olive Trees
When it’s time to add more olive trees to your landscape, choose Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC:
✅ Best prices on premium bare root olive trees
✅ Non-GMO, climate-suited varieties
✅ Fast shipping so your trees arrive fresh and ready to thrive
✅ Free 1-Year Plantsurance™ Guarantee – store credit if your tree doesn’t survive 🛡️
At Ty Ty, planting is always zero stress and all success.
🌟 Closing Thought
Olive trees are symbols of endurance and strength, but their first winter is when they are most vulnerable. By focusing on hydration, mulching, trunk protection, and orchard clean-up, you’ll help your tree transition smoothly into dormancy and emerge vigorous in spring.
Order your bare root olive trees today from Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC and grow a tree that offers beauty, shade, and fruit for generations.
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