How to fix a drooping or leaning faux olive tree
A drooping, leaning or misshapen faux olive tree is almost always fixable — and usually takes less than 15 minutes. The most common causes are compression during shipping, branches that haven't been shaped after unboxing, or a trunk that needs repositioning in the pot. Here's exactly how to diagnose and fix each one.
The four most common causes and their fixes
Branches are pushed inward from being packed tightly in the box. The tree looks flat or thin rather than full. Fix: reshape branches outward — takes 10–15 minutes and transforms the tree.
The internal wire frame holds branches wherever they're left. An unshaped tree droops because nobody has spread the branches into a natural canopy position. Fix: systematic reshaping from base to top.
The trunk stabiliser isn't sitting flat in the pot or the pot is too wide. Fix: reposition the base, add packing material around the stabiliser, or use a more appropriately sized pot.
Prolonged direct heat can soften the internal wire frame over time, causing gradual drooping. Fix: move away from heat sources and reshape. Prevent by keeping the tree away from direct heating vents.
Step by step — how to fix it
Remove the tree from the pot completely and stand it on a flat surface. This gives you full access to every branch and lets you see the overall shape clearly. Check that the trunk stabiliser base is intact and sitting flat.
Begin with the lowest branches and work your way up to the top. Hold each branch at its base where it connects to the trunk and gently bend it outward and slightly upward. The internal wire frame will hold whatever position you set.
Each main branch has smaller stem clusters with foliage. Spread these outward away from the central branch — this creates the full, layered canopy that makes an olive tree look realistic. Avoid all stems pointing in the same direction.
For branches that droop dramatically, bend them upward at the base (where the branch meets the trunk) then angle the tip outward. Olive trees naturally have some downward-arching branches — a slight droop at the tips is realistic. A 90-degree droop is what you're fixing.
Step back and rotate the tree 90 degrees at a time, assessing the canopy from every angle. The tree should look equally full from front, back, left and right. Adjust any flat or thin sides. A common mistake is shaping only the front-facing branches.
Place the tree back in the pot and ensure the trunk sits perfectly upright. If it leans, pack crumpled newspaper or foam around the base stabiliser inside the pot before adding moss on top. Give the trunk a gentle shake — it should feel stable and not rock.
When the droop is a structural issue
Occasionally a faux olive tree has a structural issue rather than a styling one — the internal wire at a branch junction has bent or broken, or the trunk connection has loosened. Here's how to tell the difference:
- Styling issue — branches hold position when you bend them and spring back slightly, but mostly stay where you put them. Fix: reshape as above.
- Wire damage — a branch won't hold position and falls back to the same drooping position immediately after reshaping. Fix: secure the branch to an adjacent one with a small cable tie at the base, hidden inside the foliage.
- Trunk joint loosening — the trunk wobbles at a connection point between sections (on multi-section trees). Fix: tighten the connection by rotating the section clockwise, or use a small amount of clear adhesive at the joint.
If your tree arrived damaged or has a structural defect that can't be fixed with reshaping, contact us at hello@theplantscorner.com.au within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we'll arrange a resolution.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my faux olive tree drooping at the top?
The topmost branches on a faux olive tree are usually the most compressed during shipping because they bear the weight of the packaging above them. Gently bend the top branches outward and slightly upward — hold them in position for 10–15 seconds to help the wire frame set. If they keep drooping, the wire at the very tip may need reinforcing with a cable tie around a supporting branch.
Can I use a hair dryer to reshape drooping branches?
Yes — a hair dryer on a low-medium heat setting can gently warm the internal wire frame, making it more pliable and easier to reshape. Hold the branch in the position you want while applying gentle heat for 15–20 seconds, then hold the position for another 30 seconds as it cools. Don't use high heat as this can damage PE foliage over repeated use.
My faux olive tree keeps leaning to one side — how do I fix it?
A leaning tree is almost always a pot stability issue rather than a tree issue. The base stabiliser isn't sitting flat in the pot or the pot is too wide relative to the base. Remove the tree from the pot, ensure the stabiliser is flat and centred, pack the gap around the stabiliser with crumpled newspaper, foam or pebbles, then add moss on top. This anchors the trunk upright permanently.
Need help with your tree?
If you're having trouble with a tree from our range, email us at hello@theplantscorner.com.au — we read every message personally and will help you get it looking right.
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