You have seen your olive tree do well in the warmer weather (if the UK weather keeps its summer promise, that is!). But now that fall and winter are here, you are probably worried about how your tree will do in the colder weather.
Even though olive trees are very hardy plants, if they are put through especially harsh conditions, they can get sick and die.
With their gnarled trunks and silvery green foliage, olive trees lend a timeless, Mediterranean feel to landscapes. The iconic evergreen is synonymous with Tuscany, Provence, Greece and other sunny locales. But can olive trees handle freezing winter temperatures in regions with harsher climates? With proper care, even cold-sensitive olive varieties can survive dormant seasons in places like the northern U.S. and Canada. Follow these tips for overwintering olive trees and enjoying their beauty each spring.
Understanding Olive Trees’ Winter Hardiness
Olive trees originate from the regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea where winters are wet and mild. Temperatures in their native range rarely drop below 10°F. This makes olive trees less tolerant of sub-zero cold compared to other broadleaf evergreens like Southern magnolia or rhododendron. Their U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone rating is 8 to 10.
However, the right olive tree varieties planted in suitable microclimates can withstand brief temperatures as low as 0°F when dormant. Providing winter protection allows olive trees to survive in Zone 7 and even warmer areas of Zone 6 for part of the year. But extreme cold below -10°F will damage or kill olive trees. Their ideal winter threshold is around 15°F to 20°F for best health.
Choosing Cold-Hardy Olive Tree Varieties
If growing olive trees in Zone 7 or cooler. seek out varieties known for better cold tolerance
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Arbequina – Smaller tree to around 15 feet, hardy to 15°F.
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Arbosana – Compact growth to 10 feet, hardy to 5°F.
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Koroneiki – Medium tree to 20 feet survives down to 10°F.
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Manzanilla – Large, spreading form but cold tolerant to 10°F.
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Mission – Medium to large tree hardy to 15°F, some cultivars even lower.
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Pendolino – Medium tree tolerates cold to 5°F during dormancy.
Stretching olive trees’ winter limits requires careful variety selection along with ideal site conditions. Avoid planting marginally hardy olive trees in Zone 5 or lower.
Providing the Best Location
The right planting spot is key to helping olive trees survive winter. Choose areas with:
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South or west facing exposure for maximum winter sun to warm trees.
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Protection from harsh winds which desiccate twigs and damage roots.
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Excellent drainage and porous soils to prevent root rot in wet winter soil.
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Reflective surfaces like walls or rocks to radiate heat back to plants.
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Quick-draining raised beds if native soil is heavy clay.
Microclimate and site selection are critical to success in challenging winters.
Insulating Olive Trees Before Winter Arrives
Even cold-hardy varieties benefit from some protection. In early winter:
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Wrap trunks with closed-cell foam sleeves to prevent frost cracks.
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Install low cloches over dormant trees to trap warmth, ventilating on sunny days.
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Erect burlap or mesh windbreaks to protect from desiccating winds.
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Spread 4-6 inches of loose mulch over root zones but avoid piled against trunks.
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Cover smaller potted trees with frost blankets, moving pots together for shared warmth.
Take steps in late fall to help buffer trees from winter extremes before growth fully stops.
Providing Winter Care for Olive Trees
Continue monitoring and tending to olive trees through winter:
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Inspect trees after extreme cold for potential freeze damage to limbs.
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Prune away any dead wood, sterilizing tools between cuts to prevent disease spread.
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Water dormant olive trees if winter months are very dry to prevent desiccation.
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Remove mulch or protection in early spring to allow soil warming and prevent disease.
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Apply whitewash paint diluted with water to trunks to prevent sunscald as days lengthen.
Adjust care methods to suit your climate, tree size and variety hardiness zone. Meet olive trees’ basic needs despite cold.
Ideal Conditions for Olive Trees to Thrive
While they can tough it out in colder winter regions, olive trees perform best long-term where:
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Winter temperatures remain above 15°F, ideally avoiding prolonged freezes below 20°F.
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Winters are drier with low rainfall and excellent drainage. Excess winter moisture damages roots.
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Summers are hot and sunny to ripen fruit and wood before winter dormancy.
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Sheltered microclimates limit exposure to winter winds and extremes.
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Alkaline, porous soils provide good aeration and prevent saturated roots.
Olive trees tolerate cold better than heat and humidity. Sites mimicking Mediterranean winters keep them happiest.
Caring for Container-Grown Olive Trees
Potted olive trees require extra diligence in winter:
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Move containers to shelter before temperatures drop below 20°F.
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Place in unheated garages or shelters to buffer from wind and extreme cold. Avoid heated buildings.
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Group pots together and wrap with insulating materials for shared warmth.
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Ensure potting mix drains fully and does not stay wet.
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Water very sparingly over winter, just enough to prevent complete drying out.
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Transition plants slowly back outside in spring after danger of freezing passes.
Container olive trees suffer more winter damage without the insulating earth. Take extra measures to help potted plants survive.
Signs of Cold Injury to Olive Trees
Watch for these signals that olive trees have suffered damage from winter stresses:
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Bronzed, dried foliage following freezes. Cold desiccates leaves.
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Split bark and sunken canker wounds indicating frost cracks or winter scald.
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Delayed leaf emergence and reduced flowering in spring.
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Poor shoot growth after buds break dormancy.
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Withered, lifeless branches signalling dead twigs or limbs.
While not fatal, winter injury stresses trees, allows disease entry and reduces vigor.
Enjoy Olive Trees Beyond Their Traditional Range
With care in selection, siting and preparation, gardeners in many temperate regions can grow olive trees. Focus on meeting their basic needs for sun, shelter, drainage and protection to minimize winter damage. Colder zones may not produce fruit, but the elegant trees still provide unique Mediterranean style. Pay close attention and mitigate winter’s effects for years of olive tree beauty.
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Move potted plants indoors
Olive trees that are in pots can be brought inside during the winter to protect them from the cold. However, make sure that the change isn’t too big for the plant. For example, don’t go from a cold temperature to an overheated temperature too quickly; this can hurt the plant.
You shouldn’t try to heat the plant either, because that can make it lose its leaves. Even though olive trees like it when it doesn’t frost, they still need a cool, dry climate in the winter to stay alive. This is especially true if you want to grow fruit, since they need two months of cold weather to produce more flowers and fruit.
Olive trees in pots can stay outside until late September or early October. After that, they need to be brought inside until the beginning of May. But look at the weather forecast and think about what might happen to your plants if you don’t move them outside or inside on the right dates. For example, you might find that May is too early and early October is too late. During the winter, you can keep an olive tree in a cold conservatory, a porch with lots of natural light, or a greenhouse.
Olive Tree Winter Care. Olive Plant Winter Protection
FAQ
What temperature is too cold for an olive tree?
What do you do with an olive tree in the winter?
Will olive trees survive a freeze?
Do olive trees lose their leaves in winter?
Can olive trees survive winter?
The simple answer is yes! The coldest climate areas where mature olive trees can survive are with temperatures down to 15° F (- 9°C) for a limited time during winter. However, the air must be dry with a cold hit gradually.
How do you care for an olive tree in cold weather?
To ensure your tree’s survival, it’s important to understand its cold tolerance and adapt its care routine accordingly. Potted olive trees should be protected from extreme cold and frost. To do this, try placing your olive tree in a sheltered spot away from harsh winds and cold temperatures.
Can you grow olive trees in cold weather?
It’s possible to reduce damage by freezing to olive trees by winterizing them. Another solution if your area gets too cold is to grow olive trees in containers, so you can bring them indoors during cold waves. The olive tree grows all along the Mediterranean area, and in modern times has spread to North and South America, Northern Africa, and more.
Can an olive tree resist the Cold?
It is possible to “teach” an olive tree to resist the cold. However, this requires incremental steps. Getting your olive tree used to the cold is a long process. Most important is to ensure that transitions are slow. This occurs naturally when autumn slowly turns into winter. Acclimation is the botanical term to describe this.