Olea europaea Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

About Your New Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Olea europaea, the common olive, is a slow-growing evergreen with a dense rounded crown and leathery silver-green leaves. These are mature field-grown specimens carrying the thick, characterful trunks that only come with age. Small white flowers appear in spring, followed by fruit that ripens from autumn into winter.

Full sun and well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil suit it best. Annual growth is slow at 20 to 40 centimetres, and mature size sits at 4 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 10 metres wide. Frost tolerant once established, it handles light to moderate frost and is very drought hardy through Mediterranean and temperate Australia.

Trees of this size do the work of a landscape immediately, anchoring courtyards, entries, resort gardens and civic plantings. Space feature trees 3 to 4 metres apart, or 3 metres for an avenue. Where a garden needs weight and age from the first day, a mature olive is the shortest way there.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

What is an ex ground olive tree?

Ex ground means the tree has been grown in open ground rather than a container, then lifted with its root ball for transplanting. Field growing produces heavier trunks and better proportioned canopies than pot culture, which is why mature specimen olives are grown this way. Crated and cloud-pruned forms are offered alongside the standard grades.

How big do these olive trees grow?

Mature size is 4 to 10 metres tall and 4 to 10 metres wide, depending on age, soil and pruning. Ex ground specimens are already well advanced, typically standing 3.2 to 5.5 metres, so most of the height is there from the outset. Ongoing pruning can hold them at whatever size the site allows.

How fast does an olive tree grow?

Olives are slow growers, putting on roughly 20 to 40 centimetres a year once settled, and less in dry or poor conditions. That slow rate is why mature trunks command attention and why an advanced specimen is the usual way to get an established look. It also means a planted olive stays in scale for decades.

Do these trees fruit?

Yes. Olea europaea sets small white flowers in spring and fruit that ripens through autumn and winter. Trees generally begin bearing three to five years after planting, though some take ten years or more before cropping properly. Fruit drop can stain paving, so set trees back from light-coloured hard surfaces if that matters.

Is it frost tolerant?

Established olives handle light to moderate frost without damage and are grown through the cooler inland districts of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. Hard, repeated frost can burn young growth, and newly planted trees are the most exposed. Warm dry summers and cool winters are the conditions this species evolved for.

Can a mature olive be planted in a pot?

Large olives can be grown in containers, though a tree of this size needs a substantial pot, at least 800 millimetres across and equally deep, with free-draining mix and reliable irrigation. Growth slows further and the canopy stays smaller. Root prune and refresh the mix every three to four years to keep the tree healthy.

How do I care for an established olive tree?

Water deeply and infrequently through the first two years while roots move into the surrounding soil, then only in long dry spells. Prune in late winter to keep the centre open and the shape balanced, and remove suckers from the base. Feed annually in spring. Avoid constant watering and poorly drained ground.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Edible Garden
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Screening or Privacy

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Evergreen or Deciduous?

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 15m (approx.) (can be larger if unpruned)

Mature Width: 4m to 10m

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) frost tolerant?

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Flower?

Olea europaea produces clusters of small, creamy-white, lightly fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer. These subtle blossoms sit among the silvery-green foliage and are followed by traditional Mediterranean-style olives, creating a classic and understated seasonal display.

Does Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fragrant

Flower Colour:

White

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) an Australian Native Tree?

No

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is Native to The Mediterranean basin, including southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, where olives have been cultivated for thousands of years.

What is the Wildlife Value of Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) ?

Its nectar-bearing blooms attract bees and beneficial pollinating insects, while the ripening olives provide a seasonal food source for birds. The dense, spreading canopy also offers perching, shelter and habitat structure, contributing modest biodiversity support in Mediterranean, coastal and urban gardens.

How much Sunlight does Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) need?

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Olea europaea performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, though it will tolerate mildly acidic ground. Ex-ground specimens benefit from loose, friable soil with excellent drainage to minimise transplant stress. Improve heavy clay with coarse material and organic matter to increase drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during re-establishment, then transition to deep, infrequent watering as the tree matures to support strong root recovery, evergreen health and consistent fruiting.

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Drought Tolerant?

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Drought tolerant?

As a young transplant it requires consistent watering to settle new roots, but once fully established the Olive Tree develops excellent drought tolerance. Naturally adapted to hot, dry climates, it maintains strong evergreen growth and reliable fruiting with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) in Different Soil

Olea europaea performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it need full sun?Frequently Asked Questions

Is Olea europaea suitable for pots?
Yes, but it will require regular pruning to maintain size and good drainage in large containers.

Does it require regular pruning?
Minimal pruning is needed—light shaping after fruiting and removing deadwood in winter helps maintain structure.

How much water does it need?
Minimal once established—deep watering every few weeks is sufficient in dry conditions.

Does it need full sun?
Yes, thrives in **