Tasmanian-olives.com 

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Tasmanian Olive Groves.

It is estimated that there are 150,000 Olive trees planted in Tasmania. A 2001 survey carried out by the "Olive Producers of Tasmania Inc. (OPTI)", indicated that the average grove size was approximately 700 trees and they were being successfully established in most areas of the state.  Most growers have opted to plant the cool temperate climate oil varieties, but some are having success with table fruit cultivars in the less elevated areas.

Coastal zones appear to be more popular, especially in the east and north west, but groves are being established inland up to an altitude of 200 metres and even higher on frost free slopes. The most common varieties are Frantoio, Corregiola, Manzanillo, Mission, and Barnea; the most vigorous in their development stage Barnea, Frantoio, and Mission respectively.

Tasmania's cool winters and long, hot summers present ideal climate conditions for growing many varieties of Olives.  Inland plantings are usually done in mid to late spring, to allow the young tree to mature and "harden off" to help resist the occasional severe winter frost. Most mature varieties can tolerate periodic frosts down to -5 C but the young tree needs to healthy by  planting it  in well drained soil, ideally with a pH of 7-8.5. Trunk bark splitting from frost exposure is the main problem for young trees and it is recommended that trunks be shielded from moderate-severe frost in the first 3-4 years. Plastic sleeves are ideal for this purpose.

Many survey respondents indicated that they are following practical organic growing principles in their groves. We have not yet experienced any serious disease or pests other than browsing by some native animals, but the expensive option of fencing usually keeps these out. The absence of disease bears testimony to our isolating coastal barriers and our State Government's agricultural quarantine laws.

Mainland Australian groves are reported as obtaining fruit yields of up to 70 kg per tree on 10 year old trees, however  we don't expect to get more than 30-40 kg from similar aged trees. Tree growth rate appears to be slightly reduced possibly due to our comparatively cooler summer, especially in the more elevated inland groves.  This lower yield outcome is being off-set by the knowledge that what we don't achieve in quantity, we appear to be recovering in quality.

Some growers are experiencing periodic problems with lower fruit pollination set, and strong cool late Spring winds are being blamed. We have seen rows of 3 metre high Barnea, planted into the direction of prevailing winds, suffer progressive loss of fruit set as the row approaches the windward end. The planting of wind shelter belts in exposed areas appears to be essential. As the olive trees mature their progressive compaction growth will slowly lessen the damaging effects from wind.  

Many growers are using irrigation, which is especially important during the fruit set period. If the tree experiences water shortage stress before or during pollination it will conserve it's resources by rejecting fruit set, and concentrate on the  manufacture of vegetative process.

Growers when planning a grove must decide on tree spacing. Please keep in mind that in Tasmania olive fruit  ripens from May to July depending on the aspect and variety. If your grove is prone to moderate frosts during these months please be aware that frost will damage ripening fruit. Your best option is to the plant rows in a north-south axis and follow the traditional planting technique of 6-8 metres between rows and 4.5-5 metres between trees.  Then, if you prune to an open vase form, you will further increase the available sunlight to ripen your fruit as early as possible.

Olive trees are shallow rooted and tend to blow over, if not pruned sufficiently. You need to allow for a considerable passage of wind through the canopy.  If you consider planting hedgerow style, with rows 4-6 metres apart and trees at 2.5 metre centre then, if in a windy area you will need to support the trees substantially.

Similarly, a wind resistant root system in drier regions is more effectively produced if the irrigation system uses individual tree sprinklers.  Drippers tend to concentrate the root development in a small area, which minimises root anchorage effectiveness.

Hedgerow planting techniques will give increased fruit quantities per hectare in the earlier years, but this will soon level out around year 10.  Hedgerow canopies are often quite dense and this may defer fruit ripening into periods when your area can expect moderate or severe frost.  If an olive tree nurseryman gives you advice to plant hedgerow technique, consider the pros and cons of your locality,  then consider the possible anguish of uprooting every other tree in 7-10 years time.

It is recommended that land set out for planting olives first be deep ripped prior to applying fertiliser and lime or dolomite. The ripping process does improve soil aeration and drainage, but first allow the land to settle for several months prior to planting. Others recommend that you hill the soil row to keep the young trees roots from becoming water bound. Please bear in mind that this process can expose your soil to wind and water erosion, and make grove maintenance processes, such as mowing very difficult in the future. If your soil doesn't drain freely and you are in a high rainfall area of the state, possibly you shouldn't  consider planting olives!

In 2005 the state's two olive grower Associations merged to form the Tasmanian Olive Council. 

In 2001, a Southern Tasmanian grove won a gold award in one of the country's more prestigious olive oil tasting competitions in the Hunter Valley. That same grove took out back to back golden wins in Tasmania's Royal Hobart Fine Foods tasting exhibition in 2001 and 2002.  In 2003 the Royal Hobart event attracted 31 entries and approximately a third of these were from mainland groves.  Gold, silver and bronze awards all went to Tasmanian groves.   All this from 4-6 year old trees; many growers can't wait to see the outcome when their trees mature even more.

2004 the Fine Foods exhibition saw Tasmanian groves again scooping the pool of awards, 'The Olive Groves of Tasmania' the state's largest olive grove near Campania in SE Tasmania was amongst these winners, with 2 silver awards for table fruit and 2 silver and a bronze for their extra virgin olive oil.

2005 saw AOA gold awards being given to a North West Tasmanian grove.

2006 Fine Foods tasting awards again had many Tasmanian oils winning awards. One grove in Northern Tasmania, whose oil achieved a bronze award in the Tasmanian Fine Foods tasting, also entered in the AOA's national show, and this same oil received a gold award!