Edible Olive Tree Varieties
Mission olive trees have flourished in california since the 1700 s.
Edible olive tree varieties. The olive tree with no olives olea europaea wilsonii is hardy in usda zones 8 11 read more to learn if this is the perfect tree for your southern landscape. As olives ripen they soften to a meaty texture and a more complex flavor. The largest producing province is sevilla. Its extension has contracted during the last decades.
But what can an olive tree do for you in your humble home garden. Many are not familiar with this beautiful tree commonly used for its beauty in the landscape. Although its origin was believed to be spanish scientists at the university of spain at cordoba were unable to link it to spain s 700 olive varieties. While olives have been grown in florida for years on a small scale they are a relatively new commercial crop here so there is still much to be learned about the cultural requirements for keeping.
Most of the yield goes to make olive oil but black oil cured and green brine cured table olives are both mild grassy and bright in flavor. Because of its large olives gordal sevillana is one of the most appreciated table olive varieties. Several other florida plants are commonly called olive so be sure you re purchasing a european olive tree if you intend to grow an edible fruit. Makes quality olives and oil will fruit in a pot and is very decorative.
All olives should be staked to avoid wind damage. Arbequina olive is a self pollinating compact variety ripening black. When harvested and milled when very ripe the resulting olive oil can exhibit an exceedingly fruity character described by professional tasters as redolent of tropical fruit and peaches. Also known as edremit is popular olive type which is produced mostly for oil.
It is an early ripening spanish variety. The oldest olive tree alive today resides in crete and is estimated to be 3 000 5 000 years old. What is a fruitless olive tree you may ask. Green olives tend to retain a firm texture and a fruity nutty flavor.
Olive trees grow well on alkaline soils including those with a high level of salts provided that the ph level does not exceed 8 5. Talk about longevity these spiritual trees can thrive and produce olives for an average of four centuries. The usual planting distance varies from 7m to 12m each way depending on the habit of the cultivar. This type of olive stands out for its large size and green are harvested for table.
Olive trees are mentioned over 30 times each in the bible and the qur an.