Russian Olive Tree - Noxious Weed or Nature’s Wonder

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What is all this talk about the Russian Olive Tree? Read about the tree that created all the fuss, and learn why the Tree is infamous and enigmatic.

Russian olive tree, commonly known as the Russian olive oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) is actually a shrub, like most Olive tree varieties. It is a thorny, small tree that is normally short and can rarely grow only up to 15 metres, with beautiful silvery leaves, and is native to Western and Central Asia, Southern Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Iran.

The Russian olive tree was first known to be cultivated in Europe back in 1736, and earned its reputation for a great landscaping ornamental plant because of its small shrub features, beautiful silver leaves and fragrant yellow flowers. It’s also a good windbreaker and a protective garden shrub providing homes and gardens a pleasant fragrant shade.

The Russian olive tree was first introduced in the United States in the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s, and became a very popular landscaping addition. The cultivation of this shrub was also supported and even funded for wildlife enhancement, windbreaks and erosion control.

However, lately, this ornament has annoyed a lot of people, and is now considered an invasive plant and a pest. Apart from its abundant two inch thorns, it is fast growing and can colonize any field, once it has been established. But before we come to any conclusion, let’s examine the Top 5 Facts about the Russian olive tree:

1. The Tree is a lazy, impatient gardener’s delight.

It is a relatively easy to grow, resilient and can survive extreme droughts. For these reasons, many Olive growers, plant sellers and landscapers found this tree to be ideal for planting and cultivation.

2. The Tree loves the sun, but doesn’t mind a little cold weather.

The Russian olive tree loves warm climates, like every olive tree, but can also survive the cold, unlike many olive varieties. Because of its resilience, the Russian olive tree can grow almost anywhere and outlive other plants in its surrounding.

3. It is a fruit bearing, flowering shrub.

This olive shrub is a fruit bearing plant, but the fruits of this tree are only edible to birds, insects and a few wildlife species. The Russian olive tree is not known to produce olive oil either.

The best known product for this shrub is the lumber of mature Russian oleasters that are good for small wooden crafts, ornaments and decorative handmade crafts, but not ideal for furniture.

4. The Russian Oleaster, sadly, is a noxious weed.

In the early 2000, many states in the U.S., and global conservationists declared the Russian olive tree an invasive specie, after a long investigation and research process that began in the early 1990’s. The Saltcedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–320; the Act) thus, was passed in the U.S.

The eradication of this tree is therefore allowed and made legal. The control and management of the tree is also highly encouraged, as it is found to be invasive and colonizing, can displace native riparian vegetation and chokes irrigation ditches.

It frequently escapes cultivation and control because the fruit of the Russian Oleaster is adored by birds, and the seeds withstanding the birds’ digestive system, are easily dispersed. The seeds can last for years too, according to studies.

5. The Tree is a natural success.

The Russian olive tree is naturally a strong, resilient, resourceful, productive tree that can reproduce fast, and survive the toughest of environments. Not to mention, it is one of the most adorable trees, that have uniquely beautiful silver leaves, and fragrant flowers.

Can we blame this tree for its great feats and survival instincts? It is a fact that this shrub, though eradicated, mowed from seedlings, cut, poisoned, burned, the tree with roots so strong, can still survive and creep far from harm’s way, to grow some trees again.

Russian olive tree, a noxious weed, or nature’s wonder. You decide. Fascinated? Want to know more about growing healthy and fruitful olive trees?