Olive trees are found in the Mediterranean region, several parts of Africa, and in tropical and central Asia. Olive trees require subtropical climate and can thrive in long dry summers and mild winters. There are different varieties of olive trees available and gardeners can purchase fruitless varieties or fruit bearing varieties. Olive trees can greatly vary in their looks and may have weeping branches or long and narrow leaves. These trees can also be dwarfed to form fine bonsai indoor plants or can be included in gardens for beautification.
Olive is liked by many gardeners as it is an evergreen tree and its fruit can be used to make oil and pickles. This tree can grow up to 50 ft. in height and can be 30 ft. wide. However, a height of 20 ft. can be maintained with periodic pruning. Its grayish silver foliage can give a very interesting look to landscapes and gardens. Olive trees can live up to 500 years.
Olive trees bear small, cream-colored flowers that have a sweet fragrance. The olive tree has two types of flowers, a normal flower that contains male as well as female parts, and a staminate flower that has only stamens. The olive fruit is initially greenish in color and later turns in to a blackish purple shade after becoming ripe. However, a few varieties remain green after ripening, while some varieties obtain a copper brown color after becoming ripe. The fruits vary significantly in terms of shape, flavor and the amount of oil contained.
The trees require regular pruning to maintain the shape and size. Olive trees may also suffer damage due to certain pests such as the medfly and the Dacus oleae. It is recommended to avoid planting olive trees on contaminated soil. Pruning olive trees with contaminated tools during rainy seasons can result in a bacterial disease known as ‘olive knot’.
Olive trees require well-drained soil, as they are prone to root rotting. Proper irrigation system is required for olive trees. However, they can withstand extended dry periods. Fertilizers with extra supply of nitrogen can help the growth of olive trees considerably.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Cherry Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
For most people, gardening and cultivating rare trees is a great hobby. Some people may also pursue gardening as a profession. Due to advanced techniques, most trees can be grown easily to form beautiful landscapes. Most trees are grown for functional purposes such as providing...
-
Fake Palm Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Palm trees were amongst the first species of plant life that was documented. They have been mentioned in the bible and continue to have religious importance. On ‘Palm Sunday,’ millions over the world carry palm leaves, crucifixes and other Christian symbols made of palm leaf....
-
Bonsai Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Bonsai trees reflect persistence and utter care of the one who develops them. Selection of a tree to make bonsai is vital. A good bonsai tree is one that is strong, healthy, and pleasing to look at. Bonsai trees are available in the market or...
-
Fruit Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Fruit trees serve us in many ways. They are providers of the vitamins and minerals in our diet. They give us shade. They add to the beauty to any landscaping, and are often used for this purpose. They should grow to full size where there...
-
A Guide To Bonsai Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
A bonsai is, in Chinese, a plant in a pot. The Chinese were the first to create ornamental trees in miniature in the 2nd century BCE – 2nd century CE during the Han period, where the art of landscaping was perfected, and trees are known...
-
Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The word tree denotes plants, a family mapped through various generations, as well as scientific notations like binary trees. So anything that has a root, strong trunk or stem, and branches out can be termed as a tree. In fact, a few centuries ago people...
-
Palm Trees For Sale
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
More than a thousand varieties of palms are found in the United States, and all these are available in the market as seedlings, potted plants or fully grown trees that can be directly transplanted to your home. Buying at each stage of tree growth requires...
-
Lighted Palm Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Palm trees refer to a wide range of plants from the Palmae family. It is easy to spot a palm tree, as they have a unique unbranched trunk. Their leaves can be classified as pinnate or palmate leaves, depending upon palm type and their place...
-
Table Top Silk Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Does your tabletop look bare and ordinary on special occasions? Often, we become so engrossed in decorating the whole house and filling every nook and corner with decorative objects that we fail to notice that our tables look bare and out of place in the...
-
Silk Ficus Trees
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ficus trees are, like many other trees, are a beautiful, enchanting addition to your home. They create an aura of magic and help in keeping the homes lush, green and pretty. But they, like other trees, require regular care. To preserve the beauty and lushness...