Olive trees are not only elegant additions to any garden, but they also produce an abundant harvest of delicious, healthy olives. Whether you're seeking a statement tree for your landscape or aiming to grow your own olives, there are several important factors to consider when purchasing an olive tree. At Trees of Eden, we are passionate about providing top-quality trees, and our resident experts are here to offer key advice on selecting a thriving olive tree that will flourish for years to come.
Climate Suitability
One of the most important considerations when purchasing an olive tree is ensuring it will thrive in your local climate. Olive trees prefer Mediterranean conditions—hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. They need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day to flourish. However, different varieties have varying levels of tolerance to cold or extreme heat. Here at Trees of Eden, we grow our olive trees under tough conditions to ensure they’re hardy and well-suited to diverse climates, including the unpredictable South African weather. Our trees are well-prepared to handle a range of climates and provide a bountiful harvest.
Choosing the Right Age and Size
Olive trees have impressive longevity and can live for centuries, but the age of the tree you choose will impact its fruiting timeline. Younger trees may take a few years to bear olives, while more mature trees can offer an immediate harvest. If you're looking for a quicker return, older trees are ideal, though they come at a higher cost. Younger trees, while more affordable, require a bit more patience before they start producing fruit. At Trees of Eden, we offer a variety of olive trees, from younger specimens to more mature ones, so you can choose the option that best fits your needs.
Olive Trees - Rootstock Matters
The health and productivity of an olive tree largely depend on the rootstock it’s grafted onto. A strong, healthy rootstock can improve the tree’s growth, resistance to disease, and overall adaptability to different soil conditions. Selecting the right rootstock for your environment is crucial to ensuring the long-term success of your olive tree. At Trees of Eden, our team is well-equipped to guide you through the process, offering expert advice on choosing the best rootstock for your specific location and soil type.
Choosing the Right Variety
Olive trees come in a wide range of varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. Some are better suited for producing oil, while others are ideal for table olives. Your choice of variety will depend on your specific goals—whether you’re aiming for fresh table olives or premium olive oil. At Trees of Eden, we grow several high-quality varieties, including Mission, Frantoio, Leccino, and Coratina. Each of our trees is grown from cuttings made from the original mother block, ensuring they are genetically true to type and capable of delivering excellent fruit quality.
Ensuring Quality and Source
It's essential to buy your olive tree from a reputable and knowledgeable supplier. A healthy tree should be free from pests, disease, or visible damage, and it’s important to know that the nursery has taken proper care in cultivating the tree. At Trees of Eden, we pride ourselves on offering top-quality trees that have been nurtured in optimal conditions. Our nursery, located in Stellenbosch, is registered with the National Department of Agriculture, and we use sustainable, organic practices to ensure that each tree is robust and ready to thrive in its new home.
Care and Maintenance
Olive trees are relatively low-maintenance once established, but it’s essential to understand their basic care requirements to help them thrive. These include proper watering, seasonal pruning, and regular fertilisation. Olive trees need good drainage, so be mindful not to overwater them, especially during wet seasons. If you're new to olive trees, don’t worry—our team at Trees of Eden is always on hand to offer advice and support. We ensure that all our trees are planted with a substantial root mass in an organic compost mix, ready to thrive once transplanted into your garden.
Why Trees of Eden?
At Trees of Eden, trees aren’t just a product—they’re a way of life. We are passionate about providing high-quality olive trees, along with expert advice and ongoing support. Our well-established nursery in Stellenbosch is home to a wide selection of trees that are carefully cultivated to ensure they grow well in any climate. Each tree comes with a substantial root mass, grown in various pot sizes—3, 10, 20, or 50 litres—and once transplanted into open ground, they’re ready to take off in a growth spurt.
Our commitment to quality extends beyond just the sale. We regularly fertilise and care for our trees, ensuring they are healthy, disease-free, and ready to thrive. Plus, our trees are cultivated from mother blocks that are genetically true to type, meaning you can trust in the quality and authenticity of the varieties we provide.
Choosing the right olive tree is about more than just picking a beautiful specimen—it’s about ensuring the tree will thrive in your environment, suit your needs, and provide years of enjoyment. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to growing olives, Trees of Eden has the expertise and variety to help you find the perfect tree. Visit us in Stellenbosch to explore our wide selection and receive expert advice from Maggie and the team. Happy olive tree shopping!
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