Facts about the Russian Olive Tree You should Know

Despite the fact that Russian olive tree (also known as Oleaster) are beautiful all year round, they are best enjoyed in summer when the flowers fill the air with a delicious, deep smell. Birds flock to the blossoms as the bright red fruit ripens, drawing them in large numbers. The Russian olive tree (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a hardy shrub that can withstand a variety of challenging circumstances, including sandy, dry, alkaline, or salty soil, as well as salt spray.

It normally grows as a 12 to 15-foot shrub, but it may also be trained to grow as a small tree. For those wishing to develop the tree form of Elaeagnus, it is recommended that you begin trimming the shrub while it is still young. Remove everything except the one robust stem that emerges from the ground, as well as the lower side branches, from the plant.

Information about the Russian Olive Tree

Although E. angustifolia and real olives are not related species, the popular name “Russian olive” is derived from the fact that E. angustifolia and true olives are similar in appearance. Use this shrub as an informal hedge or in shrub borders to add color and texture to your landscape. It is particularly effective in difficult environments when nothing else will grow.

The Russian olive is a non-native invasive plant that originated in China and is now found across the world, with the exception of the southeastern United States. In the southeastern United States, it suffers in the summer heat and humidity, and it is often afflicted by verticillium wilt.

For information on the invasive potential of Russian olive and the advisability of growing Russian olive tree in your region, speak with your local cooperative extension agent. Some states have outlawed the use of the plant. The closely similar species, E. pungens, sometimes known as silverthorn, is a viable substitute for the aforementioned species.

Ways to grow Elaeagnus Shrub

It seems that Russian olives like light, sandy soil the best, although they will grow in any soil as long as it is well-drained. Select a location that receives direct sunlight to aid in the plant’s disease resistance. The Russian olive tree is extremely tolerant of the conditions seen in western climates. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 7, which means it can endure cold weather.

Pests, with the exception of scale insects, are seldom a problem for this shrub. Scales may be controlled by spraying with horticultural oil. When using horticultural oil, pay close attention to the directions on the package about application time. Spraying at an inopportune moment might cause harm to the plant.

The Russian Olive Tree Care & Maintenance

The Russian olive, Elaeagnus sativus, is one of the easiest shrubs to manage, with the exception of the apparently unending trimming activities. Because these bushes are capable of fixing nitrogen from the air, they do not need nitrogen fertilizer. Russian olive bushes are very drought-resistant and you will almost certainly never need to water them.

Pruning Russian olives on a regular basis is necessary to keep them looking nice. They can withstand shearing and harsh pruning, although they look their best when clipped to a more natural form than they would otherwise. Instead of reducing all of the branches to form a shrub, specific branches should be removed.

In certain cases, the bushes may send up sprouts that emerge from the ground numerous times during the year. Remove them as quickly as possible to prevent them from depleting the plant’s energy reserves. Spring branch cuttings are a fantastic source of material for forcing in the home.