Olive Trees

Olive trees (Olea europaea), native to Africa, Asia, and parts of the Mediterranean, have been cultivated for thousands of years. These olive trees feature attractive, oblong grey-green foliage and delicate white flowers in spring. In warmer climates, plant an olive tree in your landscape and revel in its unique trunk and branch structure as it twists and turns. In cooler locations with significant winters and frost, grow olive trees in containers to move indoors for winter protection. Olive trees are easy to grow – requiring very little pruning; however, when pruning is necessary, these trees respond well so you don’t need to be an expert to keep your olive tree in good shape. In a few short years, these trees bear fine-quality olives for your culinary pleasure. The olive fruit has a pit and usually varies in color from green to purple. The fruit is prized for its oil and eating qualities and is a good source of nutrients like Vitamin E.