Olive Trees Cost

Last Updated on September 13, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

In the Old Testament, it is written that “The olive tree is a valuable plant, the fruit of which is flesh, and the leaves are medicine.” The wonderful sayings of the holy books urge us to worship the olive tree, a tree considered a symbol of peace, but also to cherish it for its many therapeutic qualities.

The olive tree is a tree native to Syria and the coastal areas of Asia Minor, widespread in mainland Greece and the Greek archipelago. It is considered the “everlasting fruit tree”, being a tree with extraordinary longevity, having an amazing regenerating power, always making new roots and sprouts.

How Much Do Olive Trees Cost?

The cost of an olive tree is influenced by many factors including the geographical location, the type and size of the tree, the condition, and the nursery it is bought from. However, the average cost of an olive tree is anywhere between $25 and $730. As with all the trees, the prices are greatly influenced by the height and the type of the tree. Though, the majority of the purchases will be anywhere between $45 and $160, while a mature olive tree, which is at least 10 years old, will cost somewhere between $460 to $820.

In the table below you will find the average prices for different types of olive trees:

Olive tree details

The genus Olea contains about 20 species widespread around the globe. There are small trees found in the areas bordering the Mediterranean Sea, in southern Africa, in Southeast Asia, and in eastern Australia. The olive leaves remain green throughout the year.

You might also like our articles about the cost of lemon trees, boxwood shrubs, or Japanese maple trees.

The olive tree grows hard, reaching 30 feet in height to the end of its life. It is cultivated not only for its beauty but also for the fruits from which the well-known olive oil is made.

Olives are among the longest-lived trees in the world. There is a tree in Italy, at the Greek ruins of Agrigento, which is known to be 500 years old.

What are the extra costs?

If you need to have your olive tree shipped from the nursery, be prepared to pay for transportation. Depending on the distance, in some cases, this fee might be waived if you make a bigger purchase. If not, expect to pay around $110 for a 15 to 20 miles distance.

In case you hire a professional to plant the tree expect to pay anywhere between $35 and $60 per tree, depending on its size.

In order to keep the tree growing healthy, it has to be fertilized at least once per month.

The tree has to be pruned as it grows older. You can do it by yourself or you can hire a professional. If you go for the second option, expect to spend a few hundred dollars for a tree that is 20 to 40 feet tall.

Important things to consider

The olive tree must be planted or kept in a place bathed in sunlight. It grows best when grown in rich soil, but also adapts to alkaline or stony soils, with just a few nutrients; the basic condition is that the soil is easily drainable because the olive tree does not support the roots to always be in water. The olive tree feels at home in hot and dry areas, but it also adapts to coastal areas. The tree survives and bears fruit even if neglected; however, when planting it is a good idea to apply a light fertilizer.

Olives are very well adapted to the Mediterranean climate and do not tolerate high humidity, which causes diseases and physiological disorders. Humidity and temperature fluctuations at 1-3 months after the fruits have started to form can lead to their loss. Part of the surface of the fruit turns black and usually detaches from the branch.

If you take care of it, the olive tree will produce fruit. However, you will be able to harvest the first olives only after the first 4, 5 years from planting.

In order to obtain the largest possible olives, you must reduce the number of fruits in the tree, an operation that must be done as soon as the fruits have appeared. Remove them until there are about 2-3 olives left on each small branch.

Olives grow very well in pots as well, as indoor shrubs. Don’t forget to place a few stones or pieces of terracotta at the bottom of the pot from some broken pots, to help the water drain faster. For the soil, it is recommended that you use a good quality, rich mixture.

Olives trees will not be resistant to frost or temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it needs a period of rest, a period in which it prefers a moderate to low temperature. Therefore, in winter you can keep it in an unheated room, provided that the temperature does not fall below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Annual pruning of the olive tree is recommended in late winter/early spring.

Olive wood is a hard and non-porous wood that makes it ideal for chopping boards and kitchen items. It will not absorb flavors, odors, or bacteria.

How can I save money?

The more you buy, the more you can save. If purchasing in bulk, you may be able to get a lower price per tree at most of the nurseries.