Pruning / shaping Olive Tree in a Pot

BenDover

I would like to trim back my olive tree in a pot as it's gone a bit lanky with the most leaves on the end of the stems and looking a bit bare down by the main stem.  Thinking of taking it back by around 1/2 or 2/3rds.  Is now a good time, or should I wait later in the season/autumn?

Nollie

Depends where you are. If there is still a chance of frost, best leave it a while, generally late spring/early summer, but definitely before it starts to flower. I would take off about a third of any long, whippy branches. It will grow new shoots from the pruned stems. It can be pruned back quite hard after fruiting to help create a bushier effect. At least, that is the case in my location, but double-check that in the UK...