Olea europaeaOlive

Olea europaea, the Olive, needs no introduction to a Gulf project team: a slow, immensely long-lived evergreen of 8 to 12 metres whose narrow leaves are grey-green above and silver beneath, and whose trunk fissures and fluting deepen into sculpture with age.

It accepts poor, rocky, alkaline and saline soils, and mature specimens transplant well, which is why it remains the first choice for heritage courtyards, formal avenues and hotel arrival courts across the region.

Specifications

• Height8 to 12 metres, commonly maintained at 4 to 8 metres in landscape use
• Width6 to 10 metres
• Native toThe Mediterranean basin and western Asia
• FoliageNarrow leathery leaves, grey-green above with a silver underside; evergreen
• Growth rateSlow

Conditions

• SoilPrefers free-draining ground and tolerates poor, rocky, alkaline and saline soils
• LightFull sun
• WaterLow; highly drought-tolerant once established
• ClimateThrives in Mediterranean and hot arid regions

Additional Features

• FormGnarled, fluted trunk beneath an open silver crown; character increases with age
• FruitOlives ripening green to black; fruitless cultivars are available where drop is a concern
• UsesIdeal for specimen and avenue planting, arrival courts, courtyards, roof terraces and groves
• SpacingPlant 6 to 8 metres apart for a grove or formal avenue
• Low MaintenancePrune to open the crown; the species is forgiving and recovers from hard work
• Pest ResistanceGenerally sound and resilient in dry climates
• Drought ToleranceAmong the most water-thrifty broadleaf evergreen trees available
• Salt ToleranceTolerates saline soils and coastal wind

The Olive is the definitive arid-climate specimen tree, giving structure, silver colour and a sense of age that no fast-growing species can supply.