This week,  we’d like to discuss one of our more unique items;  the European Olive Tree.  Native to the Mediterranean  countries;  Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Israel, etc…. this is one of the oldest cultivated trees known to man.  The Olive tree ultimately reaches a height of 20-30’ with a similar spread, making it a medium sized tree that works well in the suburban landscape.  The olive tree is drought tolerant, salt tolerant, wind tolerant, cold tolerant to Zone 8 and pest resistant.   Also tolerant of many types of soils, this tree has much going for it!
 

The European Olive tree has a turquoise color to the leaves, with a lighter,  platinum color under  the leaf which offers a great effect on windy days.   Perhaps this is where it gets one of its nicknames, “The Tree of Light”.  Also, known as the “Tree of peace”,  the olive branch is an international symbol for a gesture of peace.  “Extending an olive branch”  is used in everyday conversation. 

We carry all sizes of Olive Trees from 3gallon all the way to 670gallon.  We carry it as a standard, multi-trunk and even Espalier versions in the 15 and 30gallon. Click here to see the different sizes and shapes we currently offer. The 2 specific varieties we currently carry are called Frantoio and Manzanilla. Fruiting capabilities require 400 hours of chilling time on an annual basis during the colder months of the year.  Chill hours are the total number of hours between 32 and 45 Degrees during the tree’s dormancy of the winter months.  Our expectation is that the Frantoio does not fruit south of the Ocala area,  but the jury is still out, so stay tuned !

We have supplied the European Olive to several high profile projects including The University of Florida and Walt Disney World.  We are excited to have been participants of the  Epcot Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring of this year.    You can see some of our olive trees as permanent parts of the landscaping at the Morroccan pavilion at Epcot.  They are in large concrete planters right next to the World Showcase lake.

When planting the olive tree, make sure to put it in well drained soil as this tree does not like soggy roots !  Also, be careful to not put it under other trees as it is very photo-sensitive and tends to stretch in whatever direction the sun tends to be.  Full sun will yield a full and beautiful European Olive Tree. The olive tree would be an excellent addition to any landscape, but it does lend itself most to Mediterranean architecture and red or orange brick buildings where the contrast is amplified.