First of all, the most important thing: an olive tree planted in the Pannonian regions usually does not need any additional cover. However, if you live in a colder region, you can provide the tree with a protective cover on particularly frosty days - but only at extremely low temperatures.

Do you have your olive tree in a pot? Then two basic rules apply: As an evergreen tree, the olive tree also needs water in winter - but only as long as the temperature is not below zero. Watering once a week is usually sufficient. If you are unsure and still want to protect the tree, you can place it near a house wall where it is protected from particularly cold winds. Apart from that, no further measures are required when overwintering an olive tree, regardless of its size.

But why is that? Why does the olive tree not need special protection in winter?

The answer is simple: our olive trees are bred to tolerate colder temperatures and even need them. They produce their own enzymes that protect them from frost and have therefore developed a natural adaptation to cold winter conditions. In fact, olive trees prefer a cool environment to regenerate and at the same time they need sufficient light to store their energy for the coming spring.

The most common mistake when overwintering an olive tree is to place it in a place that is too warm or too dark, such as the cellar or garage. However, the olive tree needs a certain amount of cold to maintain its natural annual rhythm. Conditions that are too warm or too low in light can bring the tree out of its dormancy and disrupt its adaptation to spring renewal.

Too much care in winter can do more harm than good to your olive tree. It is therefore advisable to forego additional protective measures and aids and let nature take its course.