Olea europaea / Olive Tree – 60-80cm Girth

Description

At 60–80cm girth, we are firmly in the territory of the extraordinary. These are not trees you simply buy and plant — these are trees you choose, consider, and live with for a lifetime. Each one has spent decades becoming what it is: that trunk, that bark, that particular way the canopy sits and moves. No two are the same, and at this girth, the differences between individual specimens are profound enough that we strongly encourage you to ask us for images of the specific trees available — or better still, come and see them in person.

Standing 200–250cm overall with a beautifully full head of foliage in a generous 160-litre pot, these are trees of real presence and genuine rarity. The kind of tree that earns the centrepiece position in any garden, courtyard, or terrace — and holds it for the rest of your life.

Quick Facts:

Common Name: Olive Tree
Botanical Name: Olea europaea
Girth: 60–80cm
Overall Height: 200–250cm
Form: Full, natural foliage head — individual character varies per specimen
Foliage: Silvery grey-green — wide, mature canopy
Flowers: Small, creamy-white — summer
Fruit: Possible in warm, sheltered positions
Growth Rate: Slow — decades of character already established
Sun: Full sun — essential
Soil: Free-draining; tolerates dry conditions once established
Hardiness: RHS H4 (hardy to approximately -10°C)
Drought Tolerant: Yes — once established
Origin: Italy,  certified Xylella-free
Certification: Pre-export tested and certified free from Xylella fastidiosa
Delivery: Specialist delivery recommended — please contact our team to discuss
Best For: Statement gardens, large terraces, luxury courtyards, landmark focal points
Note: Every specimen is individual — contact us for images of available trees or to discuss the specific shape and character you are looking for

Caragh Garden Notebook

Choosing Your Tree: At this girth, the variation between individual specimens is significant — in trunk character, canopy spread, the particular angle of the branching, the density of the foliage head. We photograph and present each tree individually where possible, but we also encourage you to get in touch directly. Tell us what you are looking for — a wide, spreading canopy, a particularly gnarled trunk, a more upright form — and we can send you images of the available trees or arrange a visit to the nursery to choose in person. A tree of this scale deserves that level of care in selection.

Planting: A tree of this girth and root ball requires serious planting preparation. Choose its position thoughtfully — this is not a plant you will want to move. Dig a generous planting hole and enrich well with compost. Full sun is non-negotiable at this scale; a south or west-facing aspect with shelter from the prevailing wind gives the best possible establishment conditions. Professional planting support is strongly recommended — speak to our team about our planting service and Hiab crane delivery for specimens of this size.

Establishment: Even the most mature olive needs attentive watering through its first season in a new location. A tree of this scale carries a substantial canopy that places considerable demand on the root system while it re-establishes — water generously and consistently through the first year. A generous mulch layer over the root zone conserves moisture and regulates soil temperature through both summer and winter.

Ongoing Care: Feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring and mulch with well-rotted compost annually. Pruning requirements are minimal — remove dead or crossing growth in late spring and resist over-intervention. The character of a tree at this girth has been decades in the making; it deserves restraint and respect.

Winter Care: Hardy to -10°C in free-draining soil. A generous root zone mulch through winter protects the root system during the coldest periods. Ensure drainage is excellent — cold, wet ground is the single greatest threat to olive trees in the Irish and UK climate.

Xylella Certification: All our olive trees are tested and certified free from Xylella fastidiosa  prior to leaving Italy.

A Generational Tree: A 60–80cm girth olive tree is an investment in the long term — in your garden, your home, and something that will outlast the planting schemes around it many times over. These are trees that become part of a property’s identity, that guests remark upon, that children remember. Plant one well, and it will reward you for the rest of your life and beyond.

Styling Notes: At 200–250cm with a full, mature canopy, this tree commands space and deserves it. Allow it to stand as the centrepiece of a scheme rather than competing with surrounding planting. Underplant simply — lavender, Santolina, low ornamental grasses — to echo the silver-grey tone without distraction. Against warm limestone paving or a rendered wall, the silvery canopy is breathtaking. For a contemporary scheme, the contrast of ancient organic form against clean architectural materials — dark basalt, pale concrete, corten steel — is one of the most powerful combinations in modern garden design.