agree .. lets see a pic of the whole plant ...

is is potted.. will it be planted in the ground .... if so.. when ...

did you just get it??? .. if there is anything odd.. it might be due to however the grower grew them ....

based on these pix.. that looks like a shipping stake.. it probably should be removed ... we can tell better after the requested pic...

do you know what kind of olive it is???

ken

Hello floral_uk and ken_adrian

Sorry here is a bitter pic.

Yes so now you can see a bit better that the new growth is bushy and irregular compared to old. I dont think the tree has grown much in height since I got it, its just bushed out at the top lol.

Not trying to grow it in any shape in particular.

Its potted and I hope to keep it in the pot.

I got it 5 months ago in May in Sydney… when it was just going in to winter. Its spring now (sorry if Im stating the obvious).

Aw and sorry dont know what kind of olive it is Im sorry : I

Thankyou!!!

Good idea on the dark background for the picture. Do you want a bush or a tree? You can prune off the bottom stuff if you want a tree. If you want a taller trunk before it branches out prune off side shoots.

Yes you can see it much better now : )

Oh ok I’ll just prune off side shoots at the top to keep it uniform like the Bottom half. Is that normal for it to go bushy like that? I thought it might be reflective of what the roots are doing or something...

If you prune off the top you’ll make it even bushier. Is that what you want? You need to prune, not to change its shape immediately but to encourage it to grow the way you want it to in future. If you want fruit, research pruning for fruit which will be different from pruning just for shape.

I got it 5 months ago in May in Sydney… when it was just going in to winter. Its spring now (sorry if Im stating the obvious).

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not at all.. this is the most important info you have given ...

the primary requirement with pruning.. is having a goal ... and until you can voice a specific goal ... do not prune ..

once you can voice said goal .. then you can get guidance on how to prune it ...

im just restating what flora said ....

all i see with this plant .... which you have only had 5 months ... is that it is transforming.. or maturing.. into a more natural growth pattern ... compared to how the young plant was grown by the grower .... and thats all normal ....

you can always prune more later ... you cant glue parts back on ... so i dont see any real hurry .. you have time to figure it out ...

so lets figure out what your goal might be ...

i dont grow olives in my cold area ... im wondering how long this will agree to be a potted plant ... thats a mystery to me ...

ken

Thank you for your patience everyone : )

I would love all the leaves on the plant to be how they are at the bottom, more paced and isolated. Im not planning on having amazing olives, I just really like the look of the tree itself.

I moved in to this rental house 5 months ago after 12+ years of apartment living and, yes, its time I get out of the 'pot' mindset!!!