I want to buy an olive tree and have no clue...

[MarcelineMissouri]

Hi, I don’t have a clue about plants or trees or gardens!

Dh is 50 soon. We moved house a couple of years ago and he has always regretted not digging up his recently purchased olive tree to take with us. I want to get him one for his birthday...

I’ve not had any joy so far in our nearby garden centre. I found this company online, is anyone familiar with them or has any other suggestions?

www.suttonmanornursery.co.uk/tuscan-olive-trees/

And here is a recent picture of our old olive tree! We still live nearby so I went and had a look the other day.

Any help much appreciated!

That ones a beauty, it'll be hundreds to buy one of that size.

I've bought a couple of trees from mailordertrees.co.uk and they've been great.

I bought a couple a few years ago from a supermarket , I think maybe asda ?

They had olive trees in my local Homebase last week . Be aware not all are hardy in the coldest winters. I have one in my garden that was £25 from Morrison's a few years ago , it's grown much faster than I expected it to . I wouldn't spend hundreds. Mine has trebled in size in five years . They do better in the ground than in pots in my experience.

They have a few at our local garden centre, enormous things at £600 and the biggest £750. It isn't an outrageously priced garden centre and every time I see them I'm staggered.

I got mine as a toddler at a garden show. Those were the days...
Sorry, this is not helpful but at least it’s a bump

Tiddler not toddler!

Could you approach the owners of your old house and explain you regret not taking it and see if they would let you have it/buy it? I've never bought one but saw two in a local garden centre for 600-750. They were large trees in big pots. Neither looked like they were in that great condition (appreciate it's still pretty cold) or very loved (despite this being a non chain very good garden centre).

We had an olive tree when we lived in France. Generally they are not tolerant of heavy frosts, and you need to be aware that you can't just pick and eat the olives as they are hard and bitter from the tree. They need to be processed. We tried once, but we didn't manage it. Sorry if you knew all this already.

Is that one in the photo a lollipop type? I’ve bought from this nursery before and they’re excellent. Generally I’ve found I get at least double the plant for at least half the price compared to a garden centre. They do deliver. They have some lollipop olives in stock but their stock seems low. Might be worth giving them a call.

www.bigplantnursery.co.uk/shop/plants/olive-trees/olea-europaea/

I was sent a standard olive tree as a present a few weeks ago, came from marks and spencer. It’s not huge but I’m not looking to go into olive oil production. Yodel tried their best to beat it up before they delivered it, thanks guys, but it survived and is looking lovely.