Russian Olive Care
Elaeagnus angustifolia
A tree with silvery leaves, extremely tolerant of drought, heat and poor soils. It fixes nitrogen and is used in the landscape as a windbreak or specimen; it can be aggressive in some regions.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Pruning: While the tree is dormant, this is the best time to shape it and remove broken or crossing branches.
- General care: The plant is in dormancy.
- Pruning: This is the final period for pruning.
- Plant protection: If needed, apply dormant oil (mineral oil) against scale insects.
- General care: It is getting ready to wake.
- Pests & diseases: Check the trunk and branches.
- Watering: Not needed. Spring rains are sufficient.
- Fertilizing: Not required, it fixes its own nitrogen.
- General care: The leaves begin to sprout.
- Pests & diseases: Aphids may be seen on the new shoots, but they are generally not a problem.
- Watering: Young saplings can be watered during drought; not needed for mature trees.
- General care: Rapid growth period.
- Pruning: Not done; it is flowering time.
- General care: It produces small but very sweetly scented flowers.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Do shaping and hedge pruning.
- General care: The fruits begin to form; its tolerance of drought and heat is at its highest.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: The fruits enlarge.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Do the last formative pruning of the season; do not let it put out new shoots before frost.
- General care: The fruits begin to ripen; preparations can be made for planting new saplings.
- Pests & diseases: Ripening fruits attract birds.
- Watering: Not needed; the rains begin.
- General care: This is the best month for planting. Fruit can be harvested. Leaves begin to yellow.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Pruning: A suitable time for structural pruning.
- General care: The tree is fully dormant.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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