OLIVES

Olea europaea

Olive fruits vary greatly in size and shape. All turn black when mature

Olive leaves are glossy green on top and grey green on the undersurfaces

The Koroneki variety produces an abundant crop of small fruit. This plant was photographed in a retail plant nursery in Melbourne

This mature clump of wild olives exceeds 8 metres in height. Approximately 60 years old and located in a country town in Victoria

Olive fruits ripen in autumn and change colour from green to black. Fruit can be pickled when both green or black, but must ripen to the black colour if harvested for oil

This most attractive olive tree is tough and drought tolerant, making an excellent street tree with fruit as a bonus. The photo was taken in a suburban street in Melbourne

Just as the olive branch is recognized as a symbol of peace, so the tree itself could be seen as a symbol of tenacity, and the fruit the giver of good health.

Peace And Health For My Hobby Farm

Thought to have originated from a region bounded by the Caucasus, Iran and the coasts of Syria and Palestine, the olive has spread throughout the world to places where summers are warm to hot, but not high in humidity.

Doing best in a Mediterranean climate, the olive should do well on my farm. It can also tolerate cool winters, which help to stimulate flower initiation. It will grow in most soils including rocky and limestone soils, but does not like poorly drained locations. It can also tolerate coastal conditions having the typical grey-green of vegetation found near the sea.

Of the many uses for olives, oil production and the processing of fruit into pickled olives are the most important. In ancient times the trees supplied firewood as well as oil for lamps.

Olive Varieties

Modern olive varieties have been bred for oil or for the table as pickled fruit, but varieties such as Verdale and Manzanillo can be grown for both. These dual-purpose varieties are readily available in nurseries and both can be grown easily from cuttings. The medium and jumbo Kalamata olives, as well as the large round Volos contain less oil and are grown for table olives. Unfortunately these varieties do not strike easily from cuttings and are sold as grafted plants in nurseries. Oil varieties such as Koroneki, Leccinio and Pendolino carry profuse crops of small fruit high in oil content.

Pruning Olive Tree

Since olives do not produce healthy fruit if the atmosphere is too humid, it is important to prune trees in order to allow air movement throughout the tree. Entry of light throughout the canopy is also important to encourage even ripening of fruit. Branches found in the centre of trees need to be removed and some thinning of excess growth will help to produce larger fruit as well as allow for good light penetration.

Soil Care And Tree Cultivation

Having a shallow fibrous root system, they do best in well drained soils, but being true survivors they will cling to life even in extreme conditions. Waterlogged conditions should be avoided however, as they may become susceptible to the soil disease Verticillium. Wild olives are often seen growing as natural bonsai plants on cliff faces and in steep areas. Having a hard seed, they are readily spread by birds and quickly naturalize in bush land.

Fungal And Insect Preventions

Considered slow growing, wild olives will eventually develop into large gnarled trees up to 10 metres high, capable of surviving more than a thousand years. Cultivated varieties will grow more rapidly provided sufficient irrigation and fertilizer is provided. There is however a trend towards small to medium trees under 4 metres in height that are more easily harvested by machine.

There are few diseases when grown in ideal conditions, however, a preventative copper based spray is recommended to avoid fungal infections of fruit and leaves during wet periods. The main insect concern is scale, but this can be easily kept under control using an oil spray.

Hobby Farming For Good Harvest

Olive trees are easily grafted in late winter and many gardeners will have several varieties growing on one tree. Seedling olives also make excellent bonsai plants having small glossy leaves and producing an aged effect within a few years. Always keep in mind that even though olives are drought tolerant, good-sized fruit will only be achieved if sufficient water is applied during the growing season.

I plan to experiment with some olive varieties on the farm and also use this most attractive tree as a windbreak for more tender plants.