PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 11

Elaeaganus angustifolia - Russian Olive

Plant Viewer
The leaf is silvery green and lanceolate in shape. Small yellow flowers are tubular and bloom in late spring and early summer.
The rough bark is gray-brown and exfoliates in long strips. Thorns may or may not form on the tree. Image: Georg Slickers

Plant Description

Eleganus angustifolia, or Russian Olive, is a small to medium (20-30 feet high and wide) sized shade tree that is very hardy and adaptable. It has a oval form that is often disrupted by bare spots left over from branch breakage. Young branches tend to have a modest weeping habit. It is extremely tolerant of soil conditions and moisture conditions. Russian Olive is a vigorous grower, capable of growing multiple feet a year for several years in succession. The bark is a gray-brown in color and has a rough texture and exfoliate in large, long strips. Vicious one inch or larger thorns can form on the branches.

The leaf is lanceolate in shape with and entire margin and light gray-green in color. It is arranged alternately on the stem and is 1-3 inches long. The gray color is excellent and makes the tree stand out in the landscape, while the small leaves give the tree a light and airy texture.

Small white and yellow tubular flowers bloom prolifically on the tree in the late spring or early summer. They have a very strong and attractive fragrance. Following the blossoms, small 1/2 inch long ovular fruit forms on the tree. The fruit is a dull green color that blends in with the leaves, making the fruit imperceptible unless viewed up close.

Landscape Use

Eleganus angustifolia is a good tree for difficult locations, either wet or dry. I have seen it used as an attractive lawn tree or shade tree, but unless properly pruned and cared for they tend to become ragged in appearance.

It is also a good selection as an accent plant, thanks to its distinct gray foliage that sets it apart from other trees around it.

Points of Interest

The fruit is sweet and edible. It suffers from a handful of diseases, most noted being stem canker and leaf wilt.

Due to its vigorous nature and tendency to spread it has been declared a noxious weed in several states and some counties in Southern Utah - so it should be used sparingly in locations where it is least likely to escape into the native landscapes.