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cold hardiness

"How do olive trees do in cold weather?"

Olive trees do best in areas where winters are fairly mild. They do require some cold, about 200 hours of winter chill for fruit set (below 45º F). The standard guidelines for California state that temperatures below 22º F can kill young trees and cause branch die back on older trees. Mature trees are said to be at risk at temperatures below 15º F.

Cold damage is extremely variable, however. Some varieties are much more cold hardy than others. Microclimates can make a critical difference when temperatures are low, so avoid frost pockets and stagnant areas. Olives trees survive winter temperatures in the low teens in some places.

Frost at bloom (temperatures below freezing in late April or early May) can be a problem, causing poor fruit set. Freezing temperatures before harvest are also an issue; temperatures below about 29º F can damage fruit and cause defective flavors in olive oil. Once again, microclimates are important, since the temperature at fruit level is what matters.