Nocellara del Belice Potted Olive Tree

Nocellara del Belice olive

Nocellara del Belice is a Sicilian cultivar grown for both table olives and oil. The tree has modest-to-medium vigor with a broad crown and large green leaves. Its relatively large fruit is typically harvested green for curing, though it can also be processed for oil.

Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid chronically wet soil, and water consistently while the root system establishes. Fruit size, crop load, and harvest timing vary with climate, tree age, irrigation, and care.

Pollination and harvest

Olive pollination is cultivar-specific and depends on overlapping bloom. A second olive such as Pendolino or Frantoio may improve fruit set when bloom overlaps, but regional compatibility and bloom weather still matter.

Planting and care

Choose a full-sun site with excellent drainage. Dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and wider than the container. Set the tree at the same soil level it had in the pot, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly. Keep the root zone evenly moist during establishment without leaving it waterlogged.

Prune lightly to develop a balanced canopy and remove dead, damaged, or crossing growth. Mature size, flowering, harvest timing, and crop size vary with climate, tree age, pruning, pollination, water, and care. Container-grown trees require more frequent irrigation and periodic root and canopy management.

Olives are bitter directly from the tree and must be cured before eating. See our olive growing guide, shop olive trees, or browse all potted fruit trees.

Its relatively large fruit and dual table-and-oil use distinguish Nocellara del Belice from smaller oil-focused cultivars.