Russian Olive
Characteristics
Height and Spread Russian Olive trees can grow up to 7.6 metres high and may have a crown width between 3.7 and 7.6 meters.
Hardiness Zone 2
Preferred growing conditions Tree grows best in sunny conditions where water does not pond; drought resistant and tolerates saline/alkaline soils.
Form Russian Olive trees resemble a large shrub whose random branches spread out from the base of the trunk to form a round shape.
Flower/seeds Fragrant silver white flowers that have a yellow center.
Leaf The 2-6 centimetre oblong leaf has a scaly grayish-green top and is silvery-scaled underneath.
Bark/wood New branches have a silvery look, while older branches have a bronzy colour.
Fruit Wildlife enjoy eating its yellow pulpy berries that are about the size of a large pea.
Pruning Prune to keep shape and remove damaged limbs. Sterilize pruning saws and shears with methanol (gasline anti-freeze) between cuts and between trees.
Problems (Disease/Insects)
Cankers (branch or stem)