Olive Tree Temperature Tolerance
Mission this variety was developed in the u s.
Olive tree temperature tolerance. The olive tree thrives in areas with mediterranean climate where mild winters are followed by sunny springs and hot summers. There are several varieties of cold hardy olive trees that best tolerate the lower temperatures in zone 7. The areas where olive trees are cultivated for commercial use must have an average annual temperature of 60 68 f 15 20 c. They produce small fruits that make excellent oil and can be brined.
The absolute maximum temperature can reach 104 f 40 c without causing damage but the minimum should not fall below 20 f 7 c. Claims that olive trees can withstand 5 degrees fahrenheit is true only inasmuch as shoots may re emerge from the root crown several months after the entire top and most of the trunk have been killed. There are olive trees that survive outside of the typical mediterranean zone but generally they do not produce economically viable crop levels. And is moderately tolerant of cold.
If temperatures reach 10 degrees fahrenheit leaves and branches die and. In this case it will take several years to have a producing tree again and even a moderately hard freeze in the intervening years can be devastating. Sustained cold below 15 degrees can be fatal. For example the spanish arbequina olive variety needs to be exposed to temperatures around 7 c for at least 300 consecutive hours.
The fruits are great for oil and brining. Usually the intensity of the cold required and the duration of it depends on the local climate where the variety was developed.