The popular olive trees come from a fairly warm but dry climate with long summers and short, mild winters. As a result, the Mediterranean plant is not necessarily made for the typical German winter. Slightly frosty temperatures of up to minus 10 °C are usually well tolerated for a short time, but this depends on the rearing and the age of the tree.

Olives are not frost hardy

Many online shops and forums like to claim that olives are generally frost hardy. Some varieties are even said to tolerate temperatures down to minus 19 °C without being damaged. It is better not to believe these statements, because olives are not made for the cold German winter. In the cold season, they feel most comfortable at temperatures around 8 to 10 °C, although they also tolerate light frosts to just below freezing point - but only if the frost is limited to a short time. Some varieties even tolerate frosts down to minus 10 °C. Longer periods of frost and deep sub-zero temperatures, on the other hand, damage the tree so much that in extreme cases it can freeze to death.

Getting the olives used to the frost

However, you can get your olives used to the frost, so that older trees in particular can spend the winter outside without major problems. This point is not important for young trees, as they can simply be moved to another, winter-proof place - trees that are several decades or even centuries old are usually not that easy to move. Basically, young trees are much more sensitive than older ones. In order for them to lose their sensitivity, gentle acclimatization is necessary. That doesn't mean, however, that you simply expose your young tree to cold temperatures - instead, just let it sit outside a little longer each year and watch how it tolerates the temperatures closely.

Overwinter the olive tree properly

However, you should not forget the right antifreeze. Since most olives in Germany are kept in buckets, it is important to avoid freezing the substrate. Place your tub olive in a bright, cool location. This can be a cool stairwell, but also a sheltered corner on the balcony or terrace. The olive is best placed directly against the wall of the house, although you should not place the pot directly on the ground. A thick base, e.g. B. made of polystyrene or wood, protects against ground frost. Also cover the soil thickly with bark mulch or brushwood. In deep frost or permafrost, you should install root heating and also pack the trunk and crown well with mats made of straw, coconut or jute.

What you should pay attention to when wintering

  • you always have the current weather report ready so that you can react quickly in an emergency
  • do not put your olive too warm, because it needs its hibernation
  • Olives that are too warm are often attacked by pests
  • light frost kills pests
  • don't forget to water your olive from time to time
  • Rule of thumb: the cooler the temperature, the less you need to water

tips and tricks

Even in winter, your olive tree needs a lot of sun. If the tree sheds its leaves, this is usually an indication of a lack of light.

Category:

Trees