Here we present a protocol that describes how to image the structure of the olive axillary bud meristem with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to characterize its identity and developmental stage. Briefly, the specimen is fixed with glutaraldehyde, saturated with ethanol, dried in a critical point dryer (CPD) system, dissected, coated with a conducting material and imaged with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM).