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water needs

"How much water do olive trees need?"

Olives can and do survive with no irrigation at all in many parts of the world. But these trees are very slow growing and have low yields and extreme alternate bearing. Even modest amounts of water will make a big difference in growth, yields and oil quality.

When olive trees are young they will benefit greatly from adequate irrigation. You are growing wood, not olives, at this stage, and plenty of water will encourage the trees to fill their space in the orchard as quickly as possible. Once the trees are mature, reducing the irrigation to 40% to 60% of ET will produce olive oil with better sensory characteristics.