I've been working a couple of olive for about 5 years. Started with tiny saplings I ordered. Due to my climate I have to bring them inside for the winter. Careful with wire, they scar easily. They back bud readily. Last year one flowered and put out olives! What a treat. Have fun with your new tree.
Hi Lori. It sounds like they are a great subject for bonsai. i can't wait to get styling it, and thanks for the tip about the scarring. I'll watch out for that.
I have a small olive tree in my backyard, I want to dig it out and place it in a pot, the trunk has natural curve so I think it will make a great bonsai. Thanks for making the video!
Hi Tony I have a few olives I cut them back hard all the way they will make new branches I sharing this because the first I half way down and had to cut it back twice more I took a olive your size and made Shohin size Thank you for your time
Thanks for the information Bill. I think I will end up pruning most of these branches back quite hard. How does olive heal when you make cuts? Slow or fast?
@@TonysBonsai Hi Tony I am like you I put cut past on almost anything I cut I do believe it will heal over but slowly one branch did not produce new buds it’s thick I put it facing sun hoping for buds to push in future probably will be Jin but it’s a olive I have pictures but don’t know how to send them to you ?
This is almost starting to get vierd tony😅 i bought a olive tree 3 days ago that looks like this 🤣 i got a olive tree 2 years ago. Its really hardy. But dont try to make ekstreme bends with it. I snapt it fast last year. Very brital wood. But it survives and grow really good now. I pottet last year in a akadama, kanuma, pumice and it really loved it! And take inside now. Repot and it think its spring. And let it grow the hole winter and take it out in spring. And take inside in november again. That worket extremely good for me. And you can take of more branches. Its No problem. I cut all the faults away now. And repot it
Some interesting ideas there. I think I'm going to leave it outside for the time being. I believe that the European olive is hardy in the UK all winter unless it gets extremely cold, and I don't really have much indoor space anyway. I'm definitely looking forward to peeking at the roots in late spring. I bet you're looking forward to working on your new tree too. sounds like a good one.
@@TonysBonsai i have already did it 🤣 the nebari wasent that good. But the rootspread was good. So i hope it would grown to somthing nice one day. Yes we got kinda harsh winter's here. Can go to 25 minus.
@@TonysBonsai shoot yes!! I had to buy a whip that’s skinnier than a pencil. Not a lot of Olive Trees to be had in Alaska USA. I’ll get to where you’re going someday
I'd have a look at the trunk base under the ground before making the final decision about which lower branch to chop but I'm edging towards cutting that odd shaped branch on the right which became the lower branch when you tilted the tree. Thanks for mentioning olive cuttings - I've just raided yesterday's carnage bag and retrieved several olive cuttings from yesterday's small olive work. Take care. 👍👍
Yes, you make a great point Guy. I'll not be doing any pruning now before looking at those roots in the spring. I'm just about to head out now and plant those seeds you kindy sent me. Good luck with the olive cuttings.
yes, I agree Kennet. The only reason I removed the branch that i did, is because I knew it was always going to go whatever the roots look like. Also I did have a bit of a peak and I know that there are at least two decent lateral roots in the front of the tree.
Hi Tony, another fun video, when I saw this was Step 1 I thought you wouldn’t prune just yet, my limited understanding of Olives (and bonsai in general) is to major prune at the height of summer. I saw an excellent video from Bonsai Empire with David Benavente - we live and learn 👍🏾 keep up the good work.
In retrospect you are correct in terms of when I should prune olives, so I'm glad that I only removed one branch. I'm sure it will be fine though as we tend to get very mild winters here in Preston. What I will do is make sure the cut is really well sealed in. Cheers
@@TonysBonsai I have two. But they’re small. I’m thinking about purchasing a larger trunk one at some point. Aussie Bonsai Bloke has some amazing olives. Makes me drool every time I see them.
Great vid to start my Sunday with. Wasn’t aware of taking hardwood cutting on these I have 3 large olive trees in my garden that I need to something with. Off to get trimming and then il do some cuttings too thanks tony 👌🏽
Cheers Sal. If you can keep them in a cold frame with a heat mat to warm the roots, apparently the success goes up, but I don;t have any mats so I'm just seeing how they do naturally.
Hi Rafiq, Cheers mate. I think we will need more than luck at the world cup. We have some fantastic players but an awful manager. I doubt we'll make the quarter-finals.
Hi Bill. I don't quite know what to say. I would love to send you some of the handmade chopsticks that I carve out of various kinds of wood as a thank you.
Good little teaser video Tony...I am just taking a few hardwood cuttings of various plants right now. I really cut my teeth on olives by watching Aussie Bonsai Bloke (Sam) - he has so many great videos on working olive and I am actually hanging back on some work based on what he demonstrates so often. Mind - they have a much better climate (it actually gets hot) :)
@@TonysBonsai Trust me it is worth it. Start with his last Olive video. You must have seen him demolish a bottle of wine on the 7 question challenge :)
A six inch meatball with olives please...haha your such a crackup Tony. I can imagine you sitting under the olive tree in Greece mate..carving your initials into the trunk..Tony was here!!! Or was he.
You have done exceptionally well to find a large one, and one that wasn’t a standard with 4ft of straight trunk , or worse still - two or three straight trunks plaited together - before all the foliage. Another great find and great material. My garden olive trees are currently covered in olives after the dry hot summer we just had. Just need to soak them in brine for six months… they have been outside for 8 years with no cause for concern or thought for winter protection. They respond well to pruning which they will need to keep them manageable size. Always amusing to see goats climbing these in the Greek islands. Will you be getting a goat for the authentic look? 😂😂😂
Ah yes, I remember the goats on the trees well from my time in Greece 🤣🤣 Sounds like you have some good material for cuttings? Have you ever had any success with them at this time of year?
Omg, twice you had me laughing out loud! The inches gag really got me!. Olives (trees) have shot up in price locally, in spring we're around 13.99. Now can't get one under £25. But they do live for centuries. In Italy they build columns of bricks to prop up branches. A great video again lad. Xx
Thanks Mandy. Glad I made you laugh. 🤣 £25 seems like a decent price to me, but I suppose it depends on how mature it is and what sort of potential it has for bonsai. I paid a lot for this one of mine, but It was just one of those that I had to have.
Haha. You always need the foot long. Otherwise you don't have snacks for later. Very beautiful Ollie! I agree completely about not seeing many with branches like yours. The 1 part of the branch on the right I believe has to go. That piece with the super hard cut back right across the middle.
Yep, I think you're bang on with that mate. I don;t like to go crazy on a tree all at once, and there is no rush to get rid of it. I think I'll probably end up removing that this time next year and in the meantime, I'll design and plan with the idea that it will be removed down the line.
I won't be doing anything on this tree now until next spring when I take a look at the roots. I generally prefer to either prune or wire, but if there's no rush, I'd rather not do both at the same time. Plus I'm not really sure of the direction for this tree yet. I think after I've spent some time with it, I'll get a better idea of how I want to proceed.
I suppose you win some and lose some. I was lucky to find such a nice tree I think. Keep feeding your twigs and I'm sure they will be award-winning bonsai pretty soon!
Hi dude only me 😂 Got olives myself if you plan to wire any of it, from my experience they are strong and hard to manipulate. You may want to consider chop and grow method. There tough little blighters😂😂 Good vid Tony 👍
Cheers mate. I was carving that wooden pointer made out of olivewood and it is very hard wood. It is significantly harder than oak, maple or beech, and quite a bit harder than hawthorn which is the hardest native wood in the uk, so I can tell that bending it would definitely be a challenge. I think I might end up chopping a lot of the thick branches right back. Thanks for sharing your experience.
@@TonysBonsai your welcome fella. Tony on your channel settings can I ask what one your on. Ie Education or how to and style or entertainment. Etc Cos I’ve been on people and blogs And hardly getting views. Could you tell me which setting your on fella. Thanks sorry to be a pain
Hi Tony I have a language question. As English is for me a foreign language I wasn’t sure if the sandwich decision making problem was a spicy joke or not. Was it ? Understanding jokes is probably the most difficult aspect of a foreign language learning. It is something one can’t learn at school. And my second question. Can olive trees survive the winter in the open at your location ? Peter 😉
Hi Peter. The easy question first. Apparently, the European olive is hardy in the UK so this won't need any protection unless it gets unusually cold in which case I can put it in my workshop and throw a fleece on it. I think as a precaution I will be wrapping the pot in some bubble wrap just to give it an extra helping hand. As for the sandwich thing, yes you were correct it was a joke suggesting that I wanted something 6 inches long (which I definitely don't by the way) 🤣 I'm always in awe of people like yourself who even though it is not your mother tongue, have such a grasp of the English language that you can easily communicate verbally and in writing often better than me.
You’ve got a nice one there Tony. It will be fun watching this one develop. Here in Connecticut I’m pretty sure I’d have to bring it inside for the winter. What’s your plan for overwintering in Preston? Thanks, keep growing
Hi Matt. Yes I think it has some potential, but It's going to take a year or two to just sort out the primary structure I think. Apparently, the European olive is hardy in the UK so this won't need any protection unless it gets unusually cold in which case I can put it in my workshop and throw a fleece on it. I think as a precaution I will be wrapping the pot in some bubble wrap just to give it an extra helping hand. We don;t get weather anything like as cold as you do over there in Connecticut (thankfully)
@@TonysBonsai ,, Some research information: Some cultivars considered cold-hardy are Arbequina, Aglandau, Ascolano, Barouni, Bouteillan, Cornicabra, Farga, Hojiblanca, Leccina, Maurino, Mission, Pendolino, Picudo, Picual and Sevillano.
@@TonysBonsai Arbequina olive trees are low-maintenance, able to tolerate many different soil types, a range of sunlight, and able to withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
I have a couple of larger European olive trees in large pots in my garden in Wakefield in the UK, not too far from where Tony is, and these have lived happily outside without any protection for about 8 years. Fortunately we seldom get severe winters, perhaps usually down to -5 Celsius typically which these trees can tolerate.
Hi Rob. I'm no expert, but I believe it depends on the variety. Mine is a standard European olive and apparently, it can withstand the uk winter easily unless we have a freak cold snap, so mine will be staying outside.
I've been dying to get an olive for bonsai but they are so expensive.. If you have any cuttings spare i'd be happy to buy some from you Tony :) - I live in the Uk wink wink hehehe
One of Tony’s great videos… Miss him and his videos! RIP Tony
I've been working a couple of olive for about 5 years. Started with tiny saplings I ordered. Due to my climate I have to bring them inside for the winter. Careful with wire, they scar easily. They back bud readily. Last year one flowered and put out olives! What a treat. Have fun with your new tree.
Hi Lori. It sounds like they are a great subject for bonsai. i can't wait to get styling it, and thanks for the tip about the scarring. I'll watch out for that.
I have a small olive tree in my backyard, I want to dig it out and place it in a pot, the trunk has natural curve so I think it will make a great bonsai. Thanks for making the video!
Hi Tony
I have a few olives
I cut them back hard all the way they will make new branches I sharing this because the first I half way down and had to cut it back twice more
I took a olive your size and made Shohin size
Thank you for your time
Thanks for the information Bill. I think I will end up pruning most of these branches back quite hard. How does olive heal when you make cuts? Slow or fast?
@@TonysBonsai Hi Tony I am like you I put cut past on almost anything I cut I do believe it will heal over but slowly one branch did not produce new buds it’s thick I put it facing sun hoping for buds to push in future probably will be Jin but it’s a olive I have pictures but don’t know how to send them to you ?
That sounds really interesting, and I'd love to see them.
You can email me on
anthonyhigginsonphotography@gmail.com
Sitting under the shade of an olive tree in Greece. I would like that memory too 🤣
we can both enjoy wishing we had that memory mate 🤣 Such good times 🤣
And yeah digg it out and find the nebari.! Need a longer video mate!
definitely one to work on this year I think!
Great looking Olive got a good one there, best of luck with the cuttings.
Cheers Joe. I#'m not convinced that they will root, but I had nothing to lose, and you just never know.
I miss you Tony 😢
This is almost starting to get vierd tony😅 i bought a olive tree 3 days ago that looks like this 🤣 i got a olive tree 2 years ago. Its really hardy. But dont try to make ekstreme bends with it. I snapt it fast last year. Very brital wood. But it survives and grow really good now. I pottet last year in a akadama, kanuma, pumice and it really loved it!
And take inside now. Repot and it think its spring. And let it grow the hole winter and take it out in spring. And take inside in november again. That worket extremely good for me. And you can take of more branches. Its No problem. I cut all the faults away now. And repot it
Some interesting ideas there. I think I'm going to leave it outside for the time being. I believe that the European olive is hardy in the UK all winter unless it gets extremely cold, and I don't really have much indoor space anyway. I'm definitely looking forward to peeking at the roots in late spring.
I bet you're looking forward to working on your new tree too. sounds like a good one.
@@TonysBonsai i have already did it 🤣 the nebari wasent that good. But the rootspread was good. So i hope it would grown to somthing nice one day. Yes we got kinda harsh winter's here. Can go to 25 minus.
Daggum! What a fantastic Olive!! That base in awesome. Looking forward to the repot and changing the angle.
Cheers mate. I just had to get that tree. I've wanted one for ages, and that trunk was just calling my name!
@@TonysBonsai shoot yes!! I had to buy a whip that’s skinnier than a pencil. Not a lot of Olive Trees to be had in Alaska USA.
I’ll get to where you’re going someday
No olive trees, but some amazing scenery to make up for it mate!
@@TonysBonsai amen to that, brother!
Nice olive tree Tony. Has a lot of possibilities.
Thanks Raymond, yes it needs some work to get the structure right, but definite potential I think.
Enjoyed that Tony cheers 💚
Cheers mate, glad it hit the spot.
CONGRATS 🎉🎉 ON 3,000 Buddy. Keep Growing 😉
Cheers mate. I just love documenting my journey, and if people enjoy following what I'm up to that's great. I still can't believe it sometimes.
I'd have a look at the trunk base under the ground before making the final decision about which lower branch to chop but I'm edging towards cutting that odd shaped branch on the right which became the lower branch when you tilted the tree. Thanks for mentioning olive cuttings - I've just raided yesterday's carnage bag and retrieved several olive cuttings from yesterday's small olive work. Take care. 👍👍
Yes, you make a great point Guy. I'll not be doing any pruning now before looking at those roots in the spring.
I'm just about to head out now and plant those seeds you kindy sent me. Good luck with the olive cuttings.
I agree with Guy: if you don´t know the position of the roots pruning makes no sense.
yes, I agree Kennet. The only reason I removed the branch that i did, is because I knew it was always going to go whatever the roots look like. Also I did have a bit of a peak and I know that there are at least two decent lateral roots in the front of the tree.
Really enjoyed that pal.
Cheers buddy. Hit 3000 subs today which is crazy!
@@TonysBonsai wow mate thats fantastic congratulations 🎊
Hi Tony, another fun video, when I saw this was Step 1 I thought you wouldn’t prune just yet, my limited understanding of Olives (and bonsai in general) is to major prune at the height of summer. I saw an excellent video from Bonsai Empire with David Benavente - we live and learn 👍🏾 keep up the good work.
In retrospect you are correct in terms of when I should prune olives, so I'm glad that I only removed one branch. I'm sure it will be fine though as we tend to get very mild winters here in Preston. What I will do is make sure the cut is really well sealed in. Cheers
Awesome video Tony! Thanks for the share! I love these olives🤠
Cheers mate, me too. I've wanted an olive for ages, so I'm really glad to add this to my collection.
@@TonysBonsai I have two. But they’re small. I’m thinking about purchasing a larger trunk one at some point. Aussie Bonsai Bloke has some amazing olives. Makes me drool every time I see them.
Yes, those thick old specimens look great, but given enough time, ours will only get better!
Great vid to start my Sunday with. Wasn’t aware of taking hardwood cutting on these I have 3 large olive trees in my garden that I need to something with. Off to get trimming and then il do some cuttings too thanks tony 👌🏽
Cheers Sal. If you can keep them in a cold frame with a heat mat to warm the roots, apparently the success goes up, but I don;t have any mats so I'm just seeing how they do naturally.
@@TonysBonsai thanks tony, same here will try natural approach which I always prefer
Love your videos ❤❤❤
Thank you. I love making them.
“I only need a 6 in, that sounds wrong!” - epic!! 😂
🤣🤣I know what you mean mate 🤣🤣
Take your time Tony we don't go anywhere congrats for World Cup 👍
Hi Rafiq, Cheers mate. I think we will need more than luck at the world cup. We have some fantastic players but an awful manager. I doubt we'll make the quarter-finals.
@@TonysBonsai I mean cricket😂
🤣I don't really follow cricket anymore as it's not on terrestrial tv
Thanks!
Hi Bill. I don't quite know what to say. I would love to send you some of the handmade chopsticks that I carve out of various kinds of wood as a thank you.
Olive - all love! 🐦💙
Cheers jay
Good little teaser video Tony...I am just taking a few hardwood cuttings of various plants right now. I really cut my teeth on olives by watching Aussie Bonsai Bloke (Sam) - he has so many great videos on working olive and I am actually hanging back on some work based on what he demonstrates so often. Mind - they have a much better climate (it actually gets hot) :)
Thanks for the advice. He's actually one of the only bonsai RUclipsrs I don't really tend to watch. I'll check some of his videos out cheers.
@@TonysBonsai Trust me it is worth it. Start with his last Olive video. You must have seen him demolish a bottle of wine on the 7 question challenge :)
A six inch meatball with olives please...haha your such a crackup Tony. I can imagine you sitting under the olive tree in Greece mate..carving your initials into the trunk..Tony was here!!! Or was he.
I'm like the bonsai equivalent of Schroedinger's cat. I was both in Greece and not in Greece 🤣
You have done exceptionally well to find a large one, and one that wasn’t a standard with 4ft of straight trunk , or worse still - two or three straight trunks plaited together - before all the foliage. Another great find and great material. My garden olive trees are currently covered in olives after the dry hot summer we just had. Just need to soak them in brine for six months… they have been outside for 8 years with no cause for concern or thought for winter protection. They respond well to pruning which they will need to keep them manageable size.
Always amusing to see goats climbing these in the Greek islands. Will you be getting a goat for the authentic look? 😂😂😂
Ah yes, I remember the goats on the trees well from my time in Greece 🤣🤣
Sounds like you have some good material for cuttings? Have you ever had any success with them at this time of year?
@@TonysBonsai I’ve never tried cuttings from them but will definitely have to look into it. 👍
Or perhaps an air layer which I believe works well with olives.
Omg, twice you had me laughing out loud! The inches gag really got me!. Olives (trees) have shot up in price locally, in spring we're around 13.99. Now can't get one under £25. But they do live for centuries. In Italy they build columns of bricks to prop up branches. A great video again lad. Xx
Thanks Mandy. Glad I made you laugh. 🤣 £25 seems like a decent price to me, but I suppose it depends on how mature it is and what sort of potential it has for bonsai. I paid a lot for this one of mine, but It was just one of those that I had to have.
@@TonysBonsai ooh I do know That feeling. Persian ironwood, judas tree and tamarisk are still on my wish list too.
That's a coincidence. I've just been sent a load of judas tree seeds, so I'm hoping they germinate.
Haha. You always need the foot long. Otherwise you don't have snacks for later. Very beautiful Ollie! I agree completely about not seeing many with branches like yours. The 1 part of the branch on the right I believe has to go. That piece with the super hard cut back right across the middle.
Yep, I think you're bang on with that mate. I don;t like to go crazy on a tree all at once, and there is no rush to get rid of it. I think I'll probably end up removing that this time next year and in the meantime, I'll design and plan with the idea that it will be removed down the line.
@@TonysBonsai will you be doing any wiring on it yet this year or just the 1 cut?
I won't be doing anything on this tree now until next spring when I take a look at the roots. I generally prefer to either prune or wire, but if there's no rush, I'd rather not do both at the same time. Plus I'm not really sure of the direction for this tree yet. I think after I've spent some time with it, I'll get a better idea of how I want to proceed.
@@TonysBonsai great point. That tree has a lot of potential to be anything so best to think it over.
Patience is a virtue as they say.
Nice Olive! I wish we could get them that large where I am. I got two, look like the twigs. The branch you cut off is huge compared to them Haha!
I suppose you win some and lose some. I was lucky to find such a nice tree I think. Keep feeding your twigs and I'm sure they will be award-winning bonsai pretty soon!
Hi dude only me 😂
Got olives myself if you plan to wire any of it, from my experience they are strong and hard to manipulate.
You may want to consider chop and grow method. There tough little blighters😂😂
Good vid Tony 👍
Cheers mate. I was carving that wooden pointer made out of olivewood and it is very hard wood. It is significantly harder than oak, maple or beech, and quite a bit harder than hawthorn which is the hardest native wood in the uk, so I can tell that bending it would definitely be a challenge. I think I might end up chopping a lot of the thick branches right back.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
@@TonysBonsai your welcome fella.
Tony on your channel settings can I ask what one your on. Ie
Education or how to and style or entertainment. Etc
Cos I’ve been on people and blogs
And hardly getting views.
Could you tell me which setting your on fella.
Thanks sorry to be a pain
No worries mate. I can't seem to find where It says that? I'm pretty sure I'm on how to though. I don't know whether it makes much difference.
@@TonysBonsai thanks fella I’ll try that one thanks loads
Hi Tony
I have a language question. As English is for me a foreign language I wasn’t sure if the sandwich decision making problem was a spicy joke or not. Was it ? Understanding jokes is probably the most difficult aspect of a foreign language learning. It is something one can’t learn at school. And my second question. Can olive trees survive the winter in the open at your location ?
Peter
😉
Hi Peter. The easy question first. Apparently, the European olive is hardy in the UK so this won't need any protection unless it gets unusually cold in which case I can put it in my workshop and throw a fleece on it. I think as a precaution I will be wrapping the pot in some bubble wrap just to give it an extra helping hand.
As for the sandwich thing, yes you were correct it was a joke suggesting that I wanted something 6 inches long (which I definitely don't by the way) 🤣
I'm always in awe of people like yourself who even though it is not your mother tongue, have such a grasp of the English language that you can easily communicate verbally and in writing often better than me.
RUclips Is a great place to learn a language and meet people who can and will help.
Thank you
You’ve got a nice one there Tony. It will be fun watching this one develop. Here in Connecticut I’m pretty sure I’d have to bring it inside for the winter. What’s your plan for overwintering in Preston? Thanks, keep growing
Hi Matt. Yes I think it has some potential, but It's going to take a year or two to just sort out the primary structure I think.
Apparently, the European olive is hardy in the UK so this won't need any protection unless it gets unusually cold in which case I can put it in my workshop and throw a fleece on it. I think as a precaution I will be wrapping the pot in some bubble wrap just to give it an extra helping hand. We don;t get weather anything like as cold as you do over there in Connecticut (thankfully)
@@TonysBonsai .. Interesting. I’ll have to do a little research on that cultivar. Good luck with yours.
@@TonysBonsai ,, Some research information: Some cultivars considered cold-hardy are Arbequina, Aglandau, Ascolano, Barouni, Bouteillan, Cornicabra, Farga, Hojiblanca, Leccina, Maurino, Mission, Pendolino, Picudo, Picual and Sevillano.
@@TonysBonsai Arbequina olive trees are low-maintenance, able to tolerate many different soil types, a range of sunlight, and able to withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
I have a couple of larger European olive trees in large pots in my garden in Wakefield in the UK, not too far from where Tony is, and these have lived happily outside without any protection for about 8 years. Fortunately we seldom get severe winters, perhaps usually down to -5 Celsius typically which these trees can tolerate.
💚 olives
Me too. they look so good
I brought my olive in for the winter. Do they need to stay outside for the winter?
Hi Rob. I'm no expert, but I believe it depends on the variety. Mine is a standard European olive and apparently, it can withstand the uk winter easily unless we have a freak cold snap, so mine will be staying outside.
Thanks for the laugh @ the foot long Ton
🤣I always laugh when I catch myself saying something like that.
I've been dying to get an olive for bonsai but they are so expensive.. If you have any cuttings spare i'd be happy to buy some from you Tony :) - I live in the Uk wink wink hehehe
No worries mate. Give me a reminder in the spring when I do some more pruning 😉
@@TonysBonsai are you on Facebook?
I don't tend to use it much nowadays, but yes I'm on there (Tony Higginson)
Салют Тони, вместо отрезаной толстой ветки я бы привил пару тонких веточек.
Save that first branch you cut off for another carving.
Nice idea, unfortunately it's in a pot as a cutting already.
@@TonysBonsai Oops, I hadn't finished watching the video.
🤣I do that myself
Making a whole video to show ONE CUTTING? Ballsy.
Yeah, I egt where yo are coming from Gabriella. It wasn't exactly action packed!