Arbequina Olive Tree

Olea europaea ‘Arbequina’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7b-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Semi-Evergreen Fruit Tree – Evergreen when grown indoors, Semi-Evergreen outdoors

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 10-15′

Spacing: 20 feet or more for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Upright – Can be Tree Formed

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Cream – fragrant

Foliage Color: Green

Fruit Color: Purplish-red, Green
Fruit Size: 1″
Fruit Taste: Wonderful

Soluble Sugar:

Ripening Period: Summer

Sun Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Silt, Sand

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 7.0 – 8.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Description

Surviving winters here in USDA Zone 8a, and reportedly to zone 7b, Arbequina is the most cold hardy olive variety we know of. This self-pollinating and cold hardy olive tree not only provides a bountiful yearly crop of mild, buttery and lightly flavored olives, its grey-green leaves, rough greyish green bark and natural look add handsome color, texture and form in the home landscape. Its tasty olives are also known for their high oil concentration. The olives will ripen at different times for extended harvesting and use. Exceptionally drought and heat tolerant and resistant to pests.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, the Arbequina Olive Tree is ideal for use as a specimen, in groupings, or in rows in sunny landscape borders. Can be used to frame corners of tall homes or other buildings. It does very well in pots and can be grown indoors. That said, trees growing in pots will produce more olives if moved outdoors during the warm season.

Spacing: 20 feet or more for space between trees

Note: In Zones north of 7b the Arbequina Olive can be grown in a container where it can be brought indoors during the colder days of winter. Olive trees grow as well indoors as they do outdoors, but will produce more fruit if placed outdoors during the warm season.

Growing Preferences

Arbequina Olive Tree will grow reasonably well in most soil types except for heavy, compacted clay or very infertile soils. In heavy clay or infertile soils add at least 50% planting soil mix to the native heavy soil and plant the tree on a raised mound with the top of the root ball at least 2-3 inches above ground level. This will provide for better drainage. Olive trees grow and produce the best fruit in neutral to moderately alkaline soil (7.0-8.5 pH), well-drained but moist fertile soil that is rich in organic matter.

NOTE: In USDA Zone 7b it’s a good idea to provide some winter protection for your newly planted Arbequina Olive Tree. A heavy layer of mulch will help protect the roots during winter. Planting your Arbequina Olive on the southeast or east side of a home, or where it will be sheltered from north and western winds, will also help to provide protection during the cool season. As the tree matures it’s cold tolerance will improve.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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