Moving Olive Trees from One Property to Another - Transplanting Olive Trees

Olive trees are hardy things - so much so that you can dig up an established tree from one place and transplant it in a completely different location.
In this episode we visit some friends who have a selection of small olive trees that are in the wrong place on their property. Instead of them being cut down for wood chip, we're going to rescue them and give them a new home on our property in the interior of Portugal.

[@kimmott]

I like how Kylie always seems so serious and then says stuff like, “and then something keeps me from it…probably wine” and I end up laughing actually out loud. Please, both of you, keep the dry humor and “nerdy-ness” coming. So fun to watch your excellent progress with the projects and experiments.

[@permissiontoshine]

Me too.

[@Bobrogers99]

A rainy day is good for transplanting anything! Seeing the relatively small amount of roots in your transplants, I suspect you may have to prune back the tops to reduce the need for water and nutrient intake. They'll need lots of watering for the first year.

[@dingc.velasco6038]

Now you can finally say, "These are our Olive trees". Great video from the both of you! Thanks!

[@hotmalm]

Looks awesome 👌 Don’t forget to stake the trees good and check so the roots don’t stand in water. If they flop around in the wind the fine feeder roots won’t take, and subsequently can’t grow the larger roots to stabilise the tree and it will be stressed out. Olive trees have one must and one no no. Full sun and not to wet soil for prolonged period of time. If you already knew this the please ignore my post😌 Love your channel, I thought I was a hard worker. I’m not so sure anymore 😂

[@ulrichklein9473]

I would suggest giving the freshly planted olive trees some temporary support by tying them to posts or canes until new root growth stabilizes them. Looking good.

[@realcalgal1150]

Guy and Kylie, I have read through all the comments and see there are many that advise about pruning back the top of the tree.. (But not in the rain😂, it can wait for a drier day.) My only advice is that when you dig out trees and break the roots as you did, you should make clean cuts of all the roots before replanting. Make the cut as close to the end as possible and still have a smooth root. It minimizes the entry of soil disease and helps the tree recover better. Hoping that all the trees transplant successfully!😊Best Wishes from California.

[@permissiontoshine]

Interesting. Thankyou.

[@john4247]

Agree with other comments about reducing the height and length of branches and also you need strong stakes to stop rocking. If you transplant more trees I suggest you dont wrestle with the tree but instead use a pruning saw or sharp axe to sever the large roots . Thanks for all your great videos.

[@oomwat6101]

That truck starts fine ... just put a voltmeter on the battery and rev the engine a bit to get the alternator running (it doesn't usually run at tickover) ... if you don't see about 14V then the alternator is fried. When the engine is off and you see less than 12V then the battery is dead, both are easy home jobs to replace ;)

[@stillanemptypocket]

Great content as always. Seeing your pre dug holes in preparation for your new olive tree's triggered a memory from (I think) Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time. The question put to the panel was 1; round holes for transplants or 2; square holes for transplants. I hope I'm remembering this correctly but the consensus was 2: square hole. The reason being the re growing roots will take the path of least resistance so will grow around the edge of a circular hole and in some cases become a ball but can't do that with a square hole. Food for thought re your next batch.

[@permissiontoshine]

Owwh, thanks for the tip.

[@stillanemptypocket]

@@permissiontoshine pleasure 😀

[@Pipscape]

Prune those transplants ASAP! The roots have been harshly pruned, and now the tops need to be pruned a comparable amount to reduce the transpiration rate. Basically, the root system can no longer support so much top growth. Trying to do so will stress or even kill the tree. Be sure to water well this first year and they should make it. But first, reduce that leafy canopy and chose some structure and form to go forward.

[@spartahill]

Great episode. I, too, recently transplanted several olive trees into my space in San Antonio, Texas, so it will be interesting to see how your trees get along in reasonably similar climates. However, I gather with far more seasonal precipitation in your stretch of the woods.

[@francesgreene8927]

We just got to seeing you lay a floor, wow guys you really work hard go Kylie you make me proud to be a female congrats you deserve to enjoy fruits of your labour x

[@lynh8378]

Ohhh new trees. What a wonderful donation to your olive grove from your friends! Wonderful video. Have a great day.

[@seanmadden3620]

My olive tree fell over last year - most of the roots came out of the ground, and it lay there some time before I could get it back upright and staked. It's thriving again. So I am full of hope for the success of this replanting venture. Here's to happy olives :-)

[@MAKEDOGROW]

A friend of ours told us they dug some out, left them for over 3 weeks before planting again …. and they survived. We have high hopes ours will work 😀

[@howard922]

When you cut roots or branches clean cut then a bit of aloe Vera to keep out disease. Good job on planting in less than ideal conditions, jealous of all that rain bit dry still here in the algarve

[@goodgrieflouiser5807]

Perhaps a new battery might be the fix. But glad you rescued those trees before they became fire wood.

[@stevenkeller3047]

You two work so hard - more power to you. Though I know working in the rain totally sucks. I think it's really going to be good and helpful for the survival of the trees.

[@mariaeugenia7599]

Great video! It's good to see you both healthy. I hope those olive trees survive.But I think you should prune them a bit to make it easier for their survival, since their root sistem was pruned during the transplant..

[@LindaBrandtArt]

Agree with idea to prune them

[@vickyoakes4584]

I really like trees, especially when they bear something to eat.

[@SailingCartagena]

Do you get wild pigs on your land? Up here, near Casal de Sao Simao, they seem to arrive every night, dig up the ground, and eat young trees. One villager found one in her house!

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Thankfully no. 😀

[@BritishAnts]

They will be fine as long as you prune them hard to avoid moisture loss and wind rock! Capability brown, Geoff Hamilton and Toby Buckland where swishing around my head as this played out but my tutor back in Horticulture college said the’yre forgiving up you remove as much top growth and do it in autumn! Good job!❤

[@susanfabian1521]

I really enjoy your vlog & am always pleased to see a new one. 💐

[@lavanyapogula5779]

No compost the 1st year, helps roots go deeper. Use slow release fertilizer instead if you have to, that too high in K (encourage root growth). Prune the tops a bit too to keep them from dehydrating. Remove all fruit so they focus on root growth. You will be thanked with healthy trees with loads of fruit further down the line. Oh, and the holes need to be square (helps encourage roots to grow outward a lot more than a round one) and have to be twice as deep as the root ball (so the soil is not as compacted and the roots don't have to work too hard to grow).

[@susanfabian1521]

You are probably going to need to pound tall stakes near the trees & tie them to them to keep them stable until the roots take.

[@florentinalily]

best weather for moving trees though.. thanks for the vid! Just a tip: water the trees in rather than stamping the roots in. The soil should be firmed rather than compacted. The water will filter the soil down around the roots? Then they need staking (low and at an angle) to prevent root rock happening and until their roots have got a hold. All trees grow better if they are high in the ground and the mulch shouldn't be compacted.

[@iyzabel]

You've got the best truck ever: not difficult to fix, no electronics or very little.

[@Sandy-lj2lo]

In more continental climates, it's very important to water transplanted trees regularly through the growing season the 1st year after transplanting. During the rainy season sounds like it won't be an issue, but you might want to talk with someone who is experienced with transplanting trees in your area (maybe a nursery or farm advisor) about how to handle care during the 1st year after transplant. The frequency of watering in continental climates varies by the soil type (clay, sand etc). If they don't survive, you might also ask if digging a larger root ball might help next time.

[@mariadange06]

Nice topping up the olive grove. With lots of suckers to prune perhaps a hand held battery operated pruner might be more efficient, other homesteaders swear by them.

[@offgridwanabe]

You folks are so lucky our Canadian precipitation stays on the ground and melts in April. lol Oh and buy a battery, lovely video have fun Cheers.

[@permissiontoshine]

Wow! That was amazing - how hard you worked; persisting in the rain, despite not liking it. I love how you even dig neat holes Kylie. Sometimes I laugh when I see things like this you do - it reminds me of me. As the saying goes 'if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well'. Hugs and well wishes from Perth, Western Australia.

[@nataliaghidirim1655]

ahhh!!! so good to see you back)) happy

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

As others say, you need to trim the new trees a lot to give them the easiest life as the grow in their new location. This will enable them to survive the transition as new root growth takes over for next year's growth. They need watering over the next few months so get a hose led out there so you don't shirk doing it due to the faff of getting water there.

[@layna8924]

HELLO KYLIE & GUY...LOOKIN' GOOD...MORE TREES MEANS MORE OLIVES...AN OPPORTUNITY GIVEN & A WISE DECISION MADE...ALL THE BEST...🙏🏻;)

[@gaynor3976]

Glad to see Kylie is better and youte doing ok Guy. Interesting video, fingers crossed they take to their new home okay xx

[@danielschafer5215]

Hi there I think to prune and stake them is crucial, you dont want to get them blown over by the next stronger winds 👋

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

Good look with the trees, I hope they take.❤❤

[@IyandaElDesigns]

Apparently Olive trees take 3- 5 years to recover from the stress of transplantation. Epic work as usual guys and gals 👌

[@anthonymatthews3698]

Crude removal but they should be A-OK! Don’t put too many amendments in the planting hole, stake them so the new roots don’t rip, keep the top growth pruned to keep them nutrient balanced and don’t let them dry out for a couple years. Olives are for eternity!

[@T_Barb]

I had apple and pear trees and they produced every other year so I imagine olive trees are similar.

[@lanaosterfield9989]

The piglets are so cute and gives me a nice warm fuzzy feeling remembering my Mum's pig farm. The work collague I mention in my email also taught me a clever mushroom soup recipe as she worked fulltime and had to entertain her husbands work clients. A can of mushroom soup with half a can of milk with half a can of sherry Yumm. I have improved on this since retiring , a small can of buttered mushrooms wilth a can of full cream and can of sweet sherry. Don't tell my doctor she would have a fit. great comfort food on a cold day . Lana

[@mannydossantos9603]

I hope all the olive trees survived. Well worth exercise. There's nothing like home-made cured olives, and if if you have enough, home-made pure olive oil.

[@SuperAbcdabcdabcdabc]

You two are hilarious.

[@MrTmiranda]

Nice job! You should prune de olive trees to reduce the green quantity because the roots have been reduced a lot.

[@punjabseth260]

nice👌🏻👍

[@jeanmeyer8194]

Who said farming was easy...but truelly rewarding

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Better than sitting behind a desk any day!! 😀

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@celiapereira5223]

Bero creative video 👍💯🤗

[@aquasha2799]

Hi guy kylie I think you may need a new battery or an alternator, great content, well done and keep up the good work😊

[@jitrows8384]

You need a new battery for your Nissan. I have the '95 model Nissan king cab. They are reliable good pickups off road. I live in west Alentejo and don't have a single olive on the trees too this year.

[@steveh545]

might be worth purchasing a little battery jump gizmo. They make them super small nowadays. Double is a USB charger too.

[@ShirTuck]

Great video. Enjoy your content very much. With spring in a few months 😂 perhaps you would consider buying an auger bit for your battery drill and dig your veggie and tree holes without breaking your backs.

[@DC-iw9ug]

should plant trees in a square hole as thr roots can start growing around and around the hole eventually killing the tree (I saw it mentioned in a program about Kew Gardens)

[@thechatelaine]

💚💚

[@ChristineKelly1000]

That is fabulously rich looking soil, lovely dark colour. I’d have lopped off the top one third of the trees. It would have made them easier to transport. From what those in the know are saying here, the top and the root ball need to be of a similar size.

[@laundryday9511]

Very envious. Our land had nada trees. Would love to get my hands on some mature trees like that.

[@lindakurtz2653]

Jess at Roots and Refuge YT channel just made what she calls horseshoe berms. Dig out a shallow spot on the downhill side, plant the tree on the slightly higher ground and the shallow diver will collect water.

[@sybamunki]

im sure someone has said this, but I would put stakes in to support them until they are rooted into the ground

[@JardinagemOrg]

I think you need a proper stake or pole to secure the trees… and prune the top, no doubt. 🖖🏻

[@billymiller1319]

before a transplant mark north or south on the tree and then plant it north to north ext. keeps the tree stress low.

[@thisorthat7626]

@billymiller, excellent point that many people do not know. Thanks for sharing.

[@monalingan9523]

Delightful! Always time well spent when I watch your videos. Looking forward to the next one. 😁

[@tjgii1207]

Check out Lancasters rainwater harvesting in drylands books for some really helpful info on berms, tree planting etc. Hes based in the desert, but with portugals hot dry summers, may be helpful. For more drought tolerance, you can dig a 30-60 hole on the uphill side of a tree and fil it with whole phone books, junk mail cardboard, etc. The paper will soak up the water, the earthworms will break it down and the tree roots will eventually grow into it

[@mleciwa14]

Here, where I live, even 200-year-old olive trees have been successfully replanted. Btw, nationwide olive production has dropped by 40% due to drought :(.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Ohh, that’s an interesting fact about the drought conditions…. Let’s hope the coming years are better 😀

[@paulsunderland9204]

Hope the olive trees flourish

[@freemountain4801]

A comment totally not about olives. Kylie mentioned the rain making tent life less enjoyable. I remember seeing the inside of your tent on another video. The wood stove is nearby a wall of the tent. Do you have room to put a small wall, just stacked, not cemented, of new or clean bricks behind and slightly to the sides of the stove to both reflect the heat back to the main area of the tent and also act as a thermal mass to hold some heat longer in the night to help the tent stay warmer longer? This was just a thought that came to me as I watched your video while I worked in my kitchen. I enjoy your videos. Thanks.

[@arturrosa3166]

Olive trees do tend to have alternate bearing. In one year you have a good harvest, the next one a poor one, and so on.

[@alshirley3444]

When we plant trees or mature plants we put an egg under it for extra nutrients.

[@drb996]

If honest I would probably focus on working on the house rather than anything else due to the current economic climate. Inflation may drive building materials sky-high so stocking up on what you may need for the next three months would be ideal.

[@SwimCoach8]

As mentioned in other comments....watering is critical. Rain is wonderful but transplants need some good, deep, root soaking watering cycles. When I transplant, my first watering is a hose laying at the base of the transplant till the soil is saturated. After that a routine of regular deep water cycles till the tree has normalized to its new home. Some die back may happen, but that's normal. Prune it up in the spring and they should be just fine. Wonderful job preserving the trees and thanks for bringing us along.

[@trevorwindle8980]

Remove branches leaves whatever is lost root wise , lose same amount of branches same principal as bonsai at least you are doing it while raining not like a portugal Chanel that did it mid summer no removal of 50 percent branches, no water and wondered why a florist wants it for a dried arrangement , in Sydney a barge was used to move a 80 foot high massive Morton bay fig up Sydney harbour to Mrs maquarie’s chair in that case cuts are made at the circumference or drip line , 6 months later they cut 2 feet out from initial cut to capture the regrowth of feeder roots massive crane hessian wrap done ,best to do in winter for dormant sap flows in spring for trees like yours fish /seaweed emulsion helps transplant shock cheers from oz 👍❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Wow, that’s a massive tree to move. We’re there pictures anywhere I could take a look. ❤️ Morton bay figs. When we get a dry day we’ll probably cut as low as we can, trying to maintain the shape but removing as much greenery as possible

[@trevorwindle8980]

Natives in oz are a challenge as they were treated as exotics and specimens taken off cliffs in winter they have realised its opposite , I dig up 19 red river gums on the hottest day in summer no roots virtually and removed every leaf just 3 foot canes and 17 lived cuttings I cut leaves in half for moisture retention in appropriate soil / sand / peat on 90 degree angle

[@rosiemillan845]

Thank you for your video! I love the context and commentary... How are your trees now? I'm going to move mine this week, but I'm all the way in California.. Thank you again..

[@MAKEDOGROW]

The trees are doing amazingly with lots of new growth. We had quite a wet winter which I’m sure helped and we’re now just leaving them to do their own thing.

[@dws1327]

Playing a bit of innuendo bingo this week ?😉

[@rusanne1232]

Love your videos. Thank you for sharing and making me laugh. Hope you don’t take this the wrong way but WasWondering if you would be interested in buying a right hand drive Isuzu truck. It’s from SA built in the early 90’s but it’s in very good running condition. My mom is selling it as my dad is terminally ill and she has no need for it. She is not too far from you. Very low Milage and my dad being a mechanic kept it in tip top shape.

[@agustinpiaggio8888]

Hi there!! nice stuff.... hard work, bad conditions... thanks god one is brit and the other lived enough in UK for getting used to tiny annoying rain.... ironic how you get used to new places, isnt it?

[@ellentaylor4351]

Check your battery or run turban more often to allow the battery to charge

[@casionokiae71]

Is that a shovel or spade used to dig out soil around the tree? 😊

[@whatdrivesmylife4159]

Do never sell this truck! :D It just needs a new battery!

[@miko362]

Good luck with the trees 😢

[@jccrellin7625]

The cutting of the branches is painful. It is so easy to root the cuttings and start your own trees! I'm sure you've mulched the cuttings...next time, please try rooting. This goes for all your fruit bearing trees.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

We have big plans to create new trees from cuttings …. just not yet as we don’t have a lot of time to spare. Might also need some more land to expand into 😀

[@carlosvictor8679]

give me sunshine any day...who said portugal has 300 days of sunshine per year?! lol 🙂

[@ruthnoronha8206]

That was a lot of rain. Hard for filming. Was the ground a bit softer for digging?

[@MAKEDOGROW]

The filming definitely added a challenging element. The ground was very soft thankfully, and very muddy …. but sometimes you just have to get on with it anyways 🌧 ☂ 😀

[@cferguson3368]

Do they have what US calls a potato fork in Portugal? It's really great to loosen soil, so you can lift it out with shovel.

[@ifixedit7909]

Great video, just wondering did the tree’s survive? 😮

[@MAKEDOGROW]

There’s an update on those trees right at the end of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6i3kI1ma5Jgoq8si=6h4MWYy9oabQpc7q

[@ifixedit7909]

@@MAKEDOGROW great, I just watched it and they did make it, glad to hear 👍

[@paulaj.knippparealtordalto1928]

Did they survive the move?

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Yes 😀 You can see how they look now towards the end of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6i3kI1ma5Jgoq8si=ahznJKvK1WaNTX5y

[@mikefiatx19]

Hope you enjoyed the mushroom festival today.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Have you been stalking us 😂. You should have come to say hello! We had an amazing mushroom lunch and brought 3 different kits to see if we could DIY mushrooms 🍄

[@mikefiatx19]

@@MAKEDOGROW I would have said Hi but the kids were causing chaos. Next time I will. Take care.

[@sharilove8780]

Probably wine....the story of my life.....😆 Also watching videos about Portugal..... I must say....you look like you have much more than an acre of land. Did you buy more land or is it just an illusion?

[@MAKEDOGROW]

It’s just an illusion due to the wide angle lens. It’s in fact just under an acre, 3820 sqm to be precise 😃

[@jbyrd2516]

I have a heritage apple which was transplanted twice over a period of abt six years. Pruned back, staked, well watered, and compost, all good. They have the will to live 🍏🫒🌳💚💚💚

[@vintagegamingrepublic5156]

Has the Kylie does all the digging conversation already began or should i start it?

[@luisduarte4490]

Hi, Where can i buy a hoodie from make do grow?

[@MAKEDOGROW]

You can find hoodies and T-shirts here: makedogrow.teemill.com/ Note - T-shirts come up a size small 😀

[@luisduarte4490]

@@MAKEDOGROW great. Thanks👍🏻

[@coolreality]

Hi, did they survive? It’s been one year from this video. Would love to know how they are doing now? Thanks

[@CamCranley]

Have you guys considered bee hives?

[@MAKEDOGROW]

We don’t have enough land to legally have a beehive. We do support local growers by buying their honey instead of at the supermarket. We had some great ‘hydromel’ (honey mead) last night and made us think of ways we might get hold of even more honey 😂

[@lolitabonita08]

so now u know...need to buy a new battery...end of the problem!

[@DavidMorpurgo]

Looks like you just need a new battery?

[@stevestephens8299]

Ever considered a new battery on your truck?

[@helmutzollner5496]

Hmmm. Your truck is a bit unreliable, but if it is the battery time and time again, how about you invest in a new Battery charger and a new battery? That should fix the worst starting problems for 2 -3 years. If the battery goes flat, because you are only driving short distances, then you should charge the battery in most weekends.

[@DagIngeB]

"oh sorry hun, the camera wont work on a tripod"

[@daviemaclean61]

If you're going to keep "harvesting" stuff from your friends you need a better getaway vehicle!

[@MAKEDOGROW]

😂

[@normaguiteck5364]

i wander a deferent question why all English people going to Portugal ??? just a (question)

[@johnvanhal2450]

Not your natural habitat? Says someone coming from England..🤣

[@MAKEDOGROW]

There’s a reason we left …. 😂

[@paesDalmeida]

these olive trees will not thrive. They have little root

[@sunwolfgang4092]

Fruit trees best