Olive Trees

By Al Dancel


Olive trees, also known as 'Olea europaea,' are one of the oldest and foremost vital fruit trees in history. Fruit tree culture has been closely connected to the increase and fall of Mediterranean empires, as well as different advanced civilizations throughout the ages. Production from olive trees offered great wealth and provided future food to a number of recognized civilizations. Agricultural nations became steady societies, followed by a secure anticipation from past experience of an endless food and vegetable oil supply. Dependable fruit and vegetable oil production implies that olive trees helped encourage a stable society and a peaceful surroundings. That stability extended for several years, since most ancient seedling olive trees needed eight or more years before ever manufacturing the primary crop of fruit.

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.

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.




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