In message , "David
(Normandy)" writes
Has anyone got any experience growing an olive tree outside in the UK?
I've just bought one (an impulse buy) but according to the label it should
be kept in a frost free place over Winter. The tree is 5 feet high with a
half inch diameter trunk. We don't have much suitable space so it would be
inconvenient to keep it indoors over Winter.

After Googling, it seems they can survive outside in the UK if they are
mature enough. Question is - what is mature enough? Would it survive planted
outdoors in a sheltered but sunny spot provided I wrapped it head to toe in
fleece over Winter, until it is old enough to cope?

Also - are they self fertile or do I need another tree? I'm partial to juicy
black olives.

The weather here in Normandy is very similar to Southern England.

Any suggestions?

Should be fine in Normandy provided you are not in a frost pocket. We
have had one in a large pot outside (South Devon) all year round for
several years and the only damage it has suffered has been as the result
of an over inquisitive badger early this year. On a very exposed hill
top about 2km from us is a mature olive, growing in the hedgerow at the
side the lane.
--
Robert

On 16/5/07 23:18, in article
, "Sacha"
wrote:

On 16/5/07 20:57, in article ,
"David (Normandy)" wrote:


Olives striaght off the tree are vile and inedible, but I'm sure you
knew
that ;-)

Gill M

I didn't! I've never had an olive tree before. What makes them edible?

David.


The whole process of preserving them. Ray tried one off our olive trees
last year, despite my warnings and I wish I'd had a camera handy to record
his face!

--
Sacha

Do you keep your trees outdoors or indoors over Winter?

David.



Indoors but only frost free, not heated for growth. We're too close to
Dartmoor to risk outdoors. And much, much too wet. They're flowering now
and the almond trees have fruit on them, too. This is going to be a very
interesting year.

Sorry, should have said the almond trees are outside on the big lawn in
front of the house. I can't tell you when they were planted out but it's at
*least* two months ago.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
(remove weeds from address)
Devon County Show 17-19 May
http://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk/

Hi David

We have no choice but to leave the olives we hire outside, no matter what the weather. So far nothing lost. We are in Cheshire, so far frost, snow... All stay in nursery pots, out of the ground. Plants range from 2 - 20 year olds.

No help to you yet, but we have just purchased 10 Spanish grown olives which have only just come into the UK - they will also be left outside all year round, fingers crossed.

"David (Normandy)" wrote in message
...
Has anyone got any experience growing an olive tree outside in the UK?
I've just bought one (an impulse buy) but according to the label it should
be kept in a frost free place over Winter. The tree is 5 feet high with a
half inch diameter trunk. We don't have much suitable space so it would be
inconvenient to keep it indoors over Winter.

After Googling, it seems they can survive outside in the UK if they are
mature enough. Question is - what is mature enough? Would it survive
planted
outdoors in a sheltered but sunny spot provided I wrapped it head to toe
in
fleece over Winter, until it is old enough to cope?

Also - are they self fertile or do I need another tree? I'm partial to
juicy
black olives.

The weather here in Normandy is very similar to Southern England.

Any suggestions?

--
David
... Email address on website http://www.avisoft.co.uk


There are two trees in my village both fruiting, but rather small fruits,
both trees now 10 years plus, min temp during that time probably winter
05/06 it was -9c here for several nights! and of course Cornwall is famously
wet and humid. They are not fleeced or protected but are slightly higher up
the valley and there possibly not as cold as me.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collections of Clematis viticella (cvs) and
Lapageria rosea

On 16 May, 23:29, Robert wrote:
In message , "David
(Normandy)" writes

Has anyone got any experience growing an olive tree outside in the UK?
I've just bought one (an impulse buy) but according to the label it should
be kept in a frost free place over Winter. The tree is 5 feet high with a
half inch diameter trunk. We don't have much suitable space so it would be
inconvenient to keep it indoors over Winter.

After Googling, it seems they can survive outside in the UK if they are
mature enough. Question is - what is mature enough? Would it survive planted
outdoors in a sheltered but sunny spot provided I wrapped it head to toe in
fleece over Winter, until it is old enough to cope?

Also - are they self fertile or do I need another tree? I'm partial to juicy
black olives.

The weather here in Normandy is very similar to Southern England.

Any suggestions?

Should be fine in Normandy provided you are not in a frost pocket. We
have had one in a large pot outside (South Devon) all year round for
several years and the only damage it has suffered has been as the result
of an over inquisitive badger early this year. On a very exposed hill
top about 2km from us is a mature olive, growing in the hedgerow at the
side the lane.
--
Robert

Olives can be grown Outside in the milder parts of the UK
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0706/olives.asp
I have 12 planted out, but un fortunatly I have lost the labels as one
variety is much better than the others.
Olives are self fertile to some degree, but like apple trees they will
do better with another variety to pollinate them.
I think the best site for growing info is this http://www.modernolives.com.au/growing.html
All comercial olives are grafted onto a wild olive rootstock which
will grow very well in the UK. and you will often see these wild
olives sold in places such as Lidl as minature olive trees.
Good luck
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries

Thany you everyone for your feedback.

I've now planted the tree outside, at the top of a slope and backfilled the
hole with a mix of topsoil and sand, so it should be well drained.

We do get some hard frosts here over Winter, not sure what the lowest
temperature is though. I've had a brainwave (feel free to laugh). Over the
first Winter or two, until the tree is a bit more mature, plan to cover the
trunk with water pipe lagging - the spongy sleeve variety. The trunk is
straight, long and free of bits sticking out so lends itself well to this
insulation. I'll use largish diameter sleeving so air can circulate around
the trunk.
As for the top I'll wrap it in a little fleece. It will look like a giant
lolipop! Hopefully in a couple of years it should be mature and established
enough to do without any protection.

--
David
.... Email address on website http://www.avisoft.co.uk

On Thu, 17 May 2007 17:09:36 +0200
"David \(Normandy\)" wrote:

We do get some hard frosts here over Winter, not sure what the lowest
temperature is though. I've had a brainwave (feel free to laugh). Over the

David,

It's wise to choose plants that will resist to -15 C where you are. In fact
it was a little colder (-18) one year, can't remember, maybe 96. Since we've
been here, that is.

If interested you could inquire at the Pépinières Boulay, in Courseboeufs
(near Ballon in the Sarthe) who sells very large mature Olives. Although
the 40 or so miles south puts them into a different (and sunnier) climate,
they work in this area -- on Saturday at the market at Sées -- and I've
bought trees from them. A good nursery with many hard to find (in France)
plants.

cheers,

-E
--
Emery Davis
You can reply to ecom
by removing the well known companies
Questions about wine? Visit http://winefaq.hostexcellence.com

As for the top I'll wrap it in a little fleece. It will look like a giant
lolipop! Hopefully in a couple of years it should be mature and established
enough to do without any protection.


I would be wary of the fleece. it will give the winds something to get
hold of.
If you are really worried then I would build a cage, 4 posts and top
rail and cover with wind break, or shade netting for the winter
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries.