Question
Hi,
I live in North Carolina, and purchased an olive tree about 8 years ago out in California. When I first got it, it produced olives and has never produced since. The tree looks healthy and has new growth, but no olives. Is there anything that I can do to get it to produce again, and how can I root a new tree from the old one.  Please help!!! I love this tree. It is covered with burlap in the winter to protect it from our frost and sometimes hard cold tempertures. Thank you in Advance!!

Answer
Hi Carmen,
Thanx for your question.  If the olive is potted, it may need a larger pot.  Keep the tree pruned back so that it is adapted to its smaller growing space.  Feed with well-composted manure in the spring and mid-summer.  You can also use tree-stakes rated for fruit-producing trees.  If potted, put the tree outdoors as soon as you have sustained temps above 40癋/4.4癈.  The sooner the tree is outdoors in natural elements, the better.  Leave it outdoors until right before the first frost.  At least 8 hours a day of full sun.  If the tree has adapted to the outdoors and is planted outdoors, it requires at least 8 hours a day of full sun, not partial sun.  You have pretty good rainfall in N.C. but if you're having a drought, soak the tree once a week.  Use fertilizer stakes rated for fruit trees or side dress deeply with well-composted cow manure in the spring and mid-summer.  Don't prune the tree for a while.  Pruning could be cutting off blooming tips.  I know I said to prune earlier but that's just initially to get its shape.  If it blooms don't prune until after you harvest fruit.  I hope this helps.
Tom