Have I pruned my olive too hard?
Angela Roberts, by email
Stefan says: Earlier in the year, I answered your question about an olive tree in a pot that had turned brown and was losing its leaves. I advised you to prune it and said that if nothing had happened by July, it might be time to buy a new olive. But you cut it back pretty close to the base and there are now healthy shoots arising, just as I hoped and expected they would.
I suppose you could have pruned slightly less hard but no harm has been done and you will soon have a new, healthy olive. May I add that because people see olives growing in hot, dry Mediterranean conditions, they tend to think they don’t need water and fertiliser. They do. Regular watering and liquid feeding will ensure your olive thrives.