Timeline

• Planting an olive tree during the fall will give it plenty of time to become settled in the soil before new growth occurs in the spring. If you live in an area that is prone to temperatures lower than 30 degrees, however, frost can become a problem. In colder climates, trees should be planted in the spring after the last threat of frost has passed. The tree will be strong enough to handle the cold temperatures by the next winter.
  
  

Planting

• Olive trees should be set in a hole that is approximately the same size as the container that previously housed the tree. Attention must be paid to the roots during the planting process -- twisted and circling roots can be untangled or cut. As a general rule, the root ball should be disturbed as little as possible.
  
  

Irrigation

• Irrigation is important to olive trees, but particularly so in their first few years. The trees should be watered every day in the summer months, which can be accomplished by hand or by using a drip irrigation system. Ideally, the soil will be watered to a depth of about 2 feet, which requires 4 inches of water. While the trees need to be watered daily in the summer, in the fall and spring they can be watered less frequently.
  
  

Other Considerations

• Olive trees do not need compost, fertilizer or soil mix in the hole during planting. Since the trees grow in natural soil in their containers, additives serve to limit root growth and can actually stop the roots from expanding outwards to the natural soil. Weed control is another aspect of care -- no weed competition should exist within 3 feet of an olive tree. While olive trees can be staked if absolutely necessary, the trunk will be stronger if it is not staked.