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Olea europaea

Olive, Edible Olive

Plant photo of: Olea europaea
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Information by: Jerry Sortomme        Photographer: Normans/Jacobs/Sortomme

 

Description

This broad tree will slowly grow to 20'-30' tall and wide. It has small, grey-green, evergreen leaves. Small white fragrant flowers bloom in spring, followed by fleshy black fruit that appears in fall. Fruit is messy and can stain sidewalks. There are cultivars that do not produce fruit. Some folks are allergic to the blooms. This tree is very long lived, with a beautiful gnarled trunk. It prefers full sun and low watering in summer months (twice a month) and none during the winter, when established.

 

Plant Type

Tree

Height Range

12-25', 25-40'

Flower Color

White

Flower Season

Spring

Leaf Color

Grey Green

Bark Color

Grey

Fruit Color

Black

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Full

Water

Low

Growth Rate

Slow

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky

Soil Condition

Average, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

Adverse Factors

Allergenic, Messy

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Woodland

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Multi-trunk Tree, Specimen

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Location Uses

Background, Lawn, Patio, Park

Special Uses

Shade Tree

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.