Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Family: Elaeagnaceae or Oleaster

Leaves: Alternate; simple; oblong; 1-1/2" to 3" long; deciduous; entire margin; silvery; scaly; petiole short.

Twigs/buds: Twigs silvery; sometimes with spines. Buds small, round, gray-brown, with 4 exposed, silvery scales.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect; no petals; 3/8" long; whitish-yellow; fragrant; open in May. Fruit a drupe; silver-yellow; 1/4" to 1/2" in diameter; matures in August and September.

Bark: Gray-brown; shallow furrows with narrow plates between.

Wood: Unimportant; little information available; yellow to brown.

General: Native to Asia and southern Europe. Has been planted extensively on the Great Plains and in the West and has become naturalized. Shade intolerant.

Landscape Use: A medium-sized tree attractive for its foliage and interesting, irregular, spreading crown form. Has been strongly affected by a stem canker in the Midwest but not yet in Utah. This tree is very aggressive and weedy and has been declared a noxious weed in Carbon, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties in Utah. It has caused some serious environmental degradation and should not be planted. Zones 2-7.

Comments and Limitations:

• Rarely should be planted, though limited use in specific situations may be justified.