By Pietaster
United Kingdom 
Hello,
We bought an olive tree to grow in our garden a few years ago. It was quite successful until last winters frost which had appeared to kill it. However, despite the tree having died from the roots up, a great number of shoots have sprung up from around the base of the old trunk. I have removed the dead wood leaving a stump and all the shoots and transplanted the tree to a large pot which means we can protect it from future winters frosts by moving it into the greenhouse. However, in order to get something which resembles a 'tree' to grow again what should I do with the plethora of shoots? Do I need to remove all but one shoot? I fear if I do this I will be stressing the plant even further and it may die completely. Any advice very much appreciated.
16 Jul, 2011
Answers
Thanks very much, olive has now been pruned. Fingers crossed.
17 Jul, 2011
Previous question
« 'HI everybody' i bought a small Hosta at a country fair a bargain at 1.95...
You have no choice but to select a good strong central stem if you want to make a tree rather than a bush, and be ruthless with any and all other shoots which pop up. Often though, if you leave it to grow under its own steam as a bush, it will eventually form a trunk, but it'll take years.
16 Jul, 2011