How Long Until an Olive Tree Fruits, and How Much Does It Yield?
How many years an olive tree takes to fruit, yield per tree by age, yield per hectare and acre in traditional and high-density groves, oil yield, and how long olive trees live.
An olive tree propagated from a cutting or graft usually gives its first olives at 3–5 years, a useful crop at 5–7 years and full production at 8–12 years. A mature garden or traditional grove tree typically produces 15–50 kg (35–110 lb) of olives in a good year, which is roughly 2–8 litres of oil.
Years to First Fruit
| Tree type | First olives | Full production |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery tree from cutting or graft | 3–5 years | 8–12 years |
| Super-high-density hedgerow (Arbequina, Koroneiki) | 2–3 years | 5–6 years |
| Grown from seed | 8–15 years | 15+ years |
Yield per Tree by Age
| Age | Typical olives per tree |
|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 1–5 kg (2–11 lb) |
| 6–10 years | 5–20 kg (11–45 lb) |
| Mature (12+ years) | 15–50 kg (35–110 lb); large irrigated trees can exceed 100 kg |
Figures vary enormously with variety, rainfall or irrigation, pruning and the on/off year.
Yield per Hectare and Acre
| Grove system | Trees per ha (per acre) | Olives per ha |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional, rain-fed | 80–200 (30–80) | 1–4 t |
| Intensive, irrigated | 300–600 (120–240) | 6–10 t |
| Super-high-density hedgerow | 1,200–2,000 (500–800) | 8–12 t |
One tonne per hectare is about 890 lb per acre.
Oil Yield
Mills typically extract 12–22 litres or kilograms of oil from 100 kg of olives. So a tree giving 30 kg of olives produces roughly 4–6 litres of oil.
Alternate Bearing
Olives tend to crop heavily one year ("on") and lightly the next ("off"). A heavy crop uses the tree's reserves and suppresses next year's flower buds. Annual light pruning, steady watering and feeding, and harvesting on time all reduce the swing.
How Long Do Olive Trees Live?
Commonly several hundred years, and some trees in the Mediterranean are believed to be well over a thousand years old. Even when the trunk hollows, olives keep sprouting from the base and roots.
How to Increase Yield
- Full sun and an open crown.
- Water at flowering and in late summer.
- Spring nitrogen and enough potassium and boron.
- Light, annual pruning instead of occasional heavy cuts.
- A pollinator variety nearby.
More Olive Tree Guides
- How to Grow Olive Trees: The Complete Guide
- Is olive farming profitable?
- Olive tree cold hardiness and winter care
- Best olive tree varieties
Frequently Asked Questions
How many olives does one tree produce?
A mature tree typically gives 15–50 kg (35–110 lb) in a good year.
How long does an olive tree take to grow?
About 3–5 years to first fruit from a nursery tree and 8–12 years to full size and production.
How much oil does one olive tree produce?
Roughly 2–8 litres per year from a mature tree, depending on crop and variety.
How many olive trees per acre?
About 30–80 in traditional groves, 120–240 in intensive groves and 500–800 in super-high-density hedgerows.
TarlaTapan guides focus on practical, field-tested growing advice. Corrections and suggestions are welcome at info@tarlatapan.tr.