The olive tree is the king of Moroccan gardens and orchards, from Meknes to Marrakech and across the Oriental region. Hardy, it tolerates heat and drought, but it produces far better when it is looked after regularly. This guide explains olive tree care in simple terms: when to carry out olive tree pruning in Morocco, how to open up the tree without weakening it, which olive pruning tools to choose depending on branch thickness, and how to water it through the seasons.
Contents
Why prune an olive tree?
An unpruned olive tree quickly becomes dense: the centre of the tree lacks light, air circulates poorly and the olives concentrate on the outside, often out of reach. Sensible pruning helps to:
- open up the canopy so that light and air reach the heart of the tree, which limits the humidity that encourages disease;
- renew the fruiting wood: the olive tree mainly bears fruit on shoots grown the previous year;
- keep the tree at a practical height for harvesting and care;
- remove dead or diseased wood, which contributes nothing and can harbour pests.
Beware of the opposite reflex: pruning too hard pushes the tree to produce lots of wood and little fruit the following year. It is better to prune a little every year than a lot all at once.
When to prune olive trees in Morocco?
The safest rule: prune after the harvest, while the tree is dormant, and before growth resumes in spring. Depending on the region and the variety, harvesting generally takes place between autumn and early winter; the main pruning is therefore most often done in late winter.
Good habits for choosing the day
- Avoid periods of frost (mountains, Middle Atlas, plateaus of the Oriental region): cuts handle frost poorly.
- Avoid rainy days or high humidity: wet cuts heal less well.
- Avoid heavy pruning during flowering and in midsummer.
- Suckers at the base and water shoots (vigorous vertical shoots) can be removed at any time of year, as soon as they appear.
How to prune: the essential steps
1. Start with a clean-up
First remove dead wood and broken, diseased or dried-out branches. This is the most useful and least risky step.
2. Open up the centre of the tree
Remove branches that cross, rub against each other or grow inwards. The classic goal is an open “vase” shape, where light reaches the heart of the tree.
3. Limit the height
Shorten branches that grow too high by cutting just above an outward-facing side branch. You will keep a tree that is easy to harvest.
4. Take care with every cut
- Cut cleanly, just above the collar at the base of the branch, without leaving a stub.
- For a large branch, cut in several stages to prevent the bark from tearing.
- Disinfect your tools (alcohol or a suitable product) before you start and when moving from one tree to another, especially if a tree looks diseased.
- Collect and remove diseased cut branches rather than leaving them at the foot of the tree.
Brico MIM tip: for an old, very dense olive tree, spread the reshaping over two or three seasons. Gradual pruning preserves the harvest and avoids exhausting the tree. And always work from the ground or a stable footing: a telescopic pole is safer than a ladder leaning against the trunk.
Olive pruning tools: which one for which branch?
The right tool depends mainly on the diameter of the branch and its height. A well-sharpened tool makes a clean cut that heals better than a crushed one.
| Tool | Use on olive trees | Brico MIM example | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bypass pruning shears | Green shoots, water shoots, small growth | Gardena PremiumCut Pro 24 mm | 239 DH |
| Anvil pruning shears | Small dry and dead wood | Gardena PremiumCut anvil 20 mm | 159 DH |
| Loppers | Medium branches at head height | Gardena EasyCut L (45 mm cut) | 469 DH |
| Pruning saw | Large branches, thick dead wood | TOTAL pruning saw with SK5 blade | from 85 DH |
| Telescopic tree pruner | High branches, no ladder | Gardena StarCut Pro 175–400 cm with saw | 1 859 DH |
| Battery pole pruner | Many trees, high branches | Gardena TCS 20/18V P4A | 2 999 DH |
| Petrol chainsaw | Rejuvenating old olive trees, large main branches | Efco MTH 4000 | 3 199 DH |
For a garden with a few olive trees
Good pruning shears, loppers and a pruning saw are enough in most cases. The PremiumCut Pro pruning shears have a shock absorber that spares your wrists during long sessions, and the EasyCut L loppers cut up to 45 mm for about 1 kg.
For an orchard or large trees
When trees are numerous or tall, a pole changes everything: the TCS 20/18V pole pruner offers 4 m of reach and about 50 minutes of run time so you can work from the ground. For old main branches, a chainsaw such as the Efco MTH 4000 (38.9 cm³, 4.5 kg) is the tool for the job; wear gloves, goggles, hearing protection and suitable clothing. At harvest time, the TOP STAR BG 438 4-in-1 olive harvester also doubles as a backpack brush cutter. Find the whole range in the tree care tools collection, and our guide to pruning trees and hedges.
Watering and caring for olive trees
Water without overdoing it
A well-established mature olive tree is drought-resistant, but supplementary watering during dry spells, flowering and fruit development generally improves the harvest. Young olive trees, on the other hand, need regular watering during their first years. In all cases, olive trees hate standing water: well-drained soil is essential.
Drip irrigation is the most economical solution: water goes straight to the base, with no runoff. The Gardena 50 m inline drip hose kit delivers 1.6 L/h per dripper (every 30 cm) thanks to pressure compensation, from the first metre to the last. Combined with a Select water timer, watering takes care of itself during the cool hours. See also our guide to drip irrigation for vegetable gardens and fruit trees and the watering collection.
Fertilising and treatments: ask for local advice
Fertiliser needs and treatments against diseases or pests depend on your soil, your region and the condition of your trees. Before any treatment, contact a local agricultural adviser or a technician in your region, and always follow the product label. To apply a recommended treatment, a 5 L pressure sprayer is enough for a few trees; wear gloves and protection when applying.
Olive tree care calendar
Guide timings, to be adapted to your region (coast, plain, mountains) and the variety grown:
| Period | Olive tree tasks |
|---|---|
| Autumn – early winter | Harvest according to ripeness; preparing nets and equipment |
| Late winter (after harvest) | Main pruning, avoiding frost and rain: dead wood, opening up, height; disinfecting tools |
| Spring | Flowering: no heavy pruning; watering if spring is dry; removing suckers |
| Summer | Supplementary watering during the cool hours; removing water shoots; monitoring the condition of leaves and fruit |
| All year round | Weeding around the base, maintaining the drip system, sharpening and cleaning tools |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to prune olive trees in Morocco?
After the harvest, while the tree is dormant, usually in late winter, avoiding frosty and rainy days. Suckers and water shoots can be removed all year round.
Should an olive tree be pruned every year?
Light pruning every year or every other year is better than occasional hard pruning, which makes the tree produce lots of wood at the expense of olives.
Which tools do you need to prune an olive tree?
Pruning shears for shoots, loppers for medium branches, a pruning saw for thick wood, and a telescopic pole for high branches. A chainsaw is reserved for large main branches.
Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?
Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.
Get equipped to prune your olive trees
Pruning shears, saws, poles and chainsaws delivered everywhere in Morocco, cash on delivery. Need help choosing? Message us.
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