Lyla Lindsey
Olive trees are native to Asia Minor and have been cultivated for thousands of years. They are valued for their fruit and their beautiful silver foliage. Olive trees can grow quite tall, with their natural height reaching up to 15 metres. In Australia, olive farming dates back to the early 1800s, and today there are several varieties of olive trees grown across the country. The height of olive trees in Australia can vary depending on the type, with some growing up to 8 metres, while others remain much smaller, reaching a maximum height of 1.5 metres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural Height | Up to 15 metres, but usually less than half of this |
| Foliage Length | 50mm to 100mm |
| Foliage Width | 20mm to 30mm |
| Foliage Shape | Stretched oval, tapering at both ends with a point at the tip |
| Foliage Colour | Dark green to silvery grey |
| Fruit | Plump, delicious, and can be pickled or pressed into oil |
| Trunk | Slender |
| Common Height Range | 5 to 8 metres |
| Minimum Height | 1.5 metres (Olive Piccolo variety) |
| Soil | Slightly alkaline (pH 7-8) and well-draining |
| Sunlight | Full sun for at least 6 hours a day |
| Pests | Olive lace bug, scale, olive moth caterpillars |
| Diseases | Leaf spots, anthracnose, root rots |
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What You'll Learn
Olive tree varieties in Australia
Olive trees are one of the world's oldest cultivated trees, and olive farming in Australia dates back to the early 1800s. There are many different varieties of olive trees in Australia, and their fruit can be pickled or pressed into oil.
The Kalamata variety is one of the most popular in Australia. It produces juicy, sweet black olives that are ideal for cooking or eating on their own. Kalamata trees can grow up to 8 metres tall and have a spread of up to 6 metres, making them suitable for larger properties. They are drought-hardy and can tolerate frost, heat, and wind.
The Frantoio variety is another popular choice in Australia, as it can adapt to various climates, from cooler regions to warmer locations, and can be grown in coastal regions.
The South Australian Verdale olive tree is commonly found in Australia's southern states. This variety produces large olive fruits and is medium-sized, typically reaching a height of around 5-7 metres.
The Olive Piccolo is a dwarf olive tree that is ideal for those who want the look of an olive tree without the mess of fallen fruit. It enjoys both indoor and outdoor environments and reaches a maximum height of 1.5 metres. However, it does not produce any fruit.
Other varieties grown in Australia include the Olea Europea Tolleys Upright, which is perfect for tall and narrow hedges, growing up to 5 metres tall. The Olea Europea Bambalina is another variety suitable for hedging, reaching a height of 2-3 metres.
Some of the olive varieties selected for colder climates in Australia include Arbequina, Coratina, Leccino, Hojiblanca, Picual, and Volos.
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Growing conditions and maintenance
Olive trees are a productive, long-lived tree that is valued by many for its attractive look and tolerance of extreme heat and drought conditions. They are easy to manage and care for, making them a desirable choice for garden lovers in Australia and worldwide.
Olive trees flourish in cool winters with hot, dry summers and low humidity. They are tolerant of winds, coastal salt spray, medium frosts, and dry conditions. They require direct sunshine (but not too much) and some water. They are ideally grown in a Mediterranean climate, but varieties suitable for subtropics and even tropical regions are available. Olive trees can be grown in pots or directly in the ground. They are self-pollinating and don’t take too long to produce their first fruit cache.
When it comes to maintenance, olive trees are extremely low maintenance. As the tree matures, give the tree roots a deep soaking so the water reaches down deep. Olive trees will need pruning after harvesting to keep their vigour and produce new wood for the fruit to grow on for the following season. Prune crowded branches from the centre of the canopy to let light and airflow throughout the tree. This will assist fruit ripening and provide fewer places for pests and diseases to go unnoticed.
To improve yields, olive trees can be planted in soil enriched with manures and a balanced NPK ratio. Mix organic fertiliser into existing soil before planting and reapply over the soil's surface annually before flowering to replenish the nutrients used the previous season. In spring, olive trees will benefit from an extra NPK feed to boost flowering. Olive trees don’t like wet feet, but they require sufficient soil moisture during their flowering season in winter and spring to produce better flower and fruit set. Mulching is best practice to ensure reduced water loss and weed suppression.
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Harvesting olives
Olive trees in Australia start fruiting from four to five years old. The fruits are ready for harvesting from autumn to early winter, typically from April/May to September. The ideal time to prune the tree is after harvesting.
When harvesting olives, it is important to note that freshly picked olives are bitter and need to be soaked, salted, and preserved in oil or brine to be edible. For black olives, wait until they are past the olive green stage and turn purply black but are still firm. Green olives can be picked earlier.
- Mix 100 grams of salt with 1 litre of cooled, boiled water.
- Fully submerge the olives in clean jars for 3 months.
- Suggested additives include lemons, oregano, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and white wine vinegar.
Another method for preserving olives involves drilling holes in a 10kg bucket and layering the olives with rock salt. Leave the bucket for 24 hours, then turn it over and leave for another 24 hours. Repeat this process for up to 10 days, tasting the olives until the desired level of bitterness is achieved. The olives will be wrinkled and intensely flavoured.
When choosing an olive tree for harvesting, consider the amount of space available and the desired type of olives. Some popular olive tree varieties in Australia include:
- Kalamata: Produces juicy, sweet black olives that are ideal for cooking or eating. Grows up to 6-8 metres tall and is self-fertile.
- Frantoio: Suited for a variety of Australian climates, including coastal regions.
- South Australian Verdale: Produces large olive fruits and is popular in Australia's southern states.
- Olive Piccolo: A smaller, decorative olive tree that does not produce fruit, with a maximum height of 1.5 metres.
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Olive tree height and spacing
Olive trees are native to Asia Minor and have been cultivated for thousands of years. They are known for their beautiful silver foliage and their delicious fruit. In Australia, olive farming dates back to the early 1800s, with the earliest records suggesting that olive trees were brought over by ships and planted in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Today, there are many different varieties of olive trees grown in Australia, each with its own unique characteristics and growth habits. The height of an olive tree can vary depending on the variety, but on average, they can reach anywhere from 1.5 metres to 15 metres in height. For example, the Kalamata olive tree, which is a popular variety in Australia, typically grows to a height of around six to eight metres. On the other hand, the Olive Piccolo, a dwarf olive tree variety, rarely grows taller than 1.5 metres.
When planning to grow olive trees, it is important to consider the amount of space you have available. Olive trees should be spaced about six metres apart when grown in a grove to allow for proper maintenance and harvesting. Growing trees together in close proximity also improves yield as olives are wind-pollinated and benefit from having other olive trees nearby.
In addition to spacing, olive trees require certain environmental conditions to thrive. They need plenty of sunlight, preferably in a spot that receives at least six hours of full sun per day, and protection from strong winds. North-facing positions are ideal for olive trees. While they can tolerate some cool temperatures, severe frosts can damage the trees. Olive trees also prefer slightly alkaline, well-drained soil with a pH between 7 and 8.
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History of olive trees in Australia
The history of olive farming in Australia dates back to the early 1800s. Olives were probably first planted in groves around 1805 in Parramatta, near Sydney. Olives and olive oil have been traded among civilizations for centuries, so it is likely that many of the ships arriving in Australia carried olive trees for planting. All the states and territories, excluding Tasmania, were planted with some varieties of olive trees during the 1800s.
During this period, South Australia and Victoria were the states where most of the planting was taking place and were considered the leaders in olive cultivation. South Australia began to lead the charge of the olive industry in the 1830s. Between 1830 and 1850, trees were imported from France, Rio de Janeiro, and Sicily. The Stonyfell Olive Oil Company of South Australia won Gold Export Medals in 1911 for its oil exported to Italy.
At the New Norcia Monastery in Western Australia, olives have been grown mainly for oil since the 1860s. Dr Burr notes that the monastery's oil won a silver medal at the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908. In 1883, a paper was written under the heading "Cultural Industries for Queensland," which discussed the growing of olives in Queensland, primarily the Brisbane area.
Olive trees were first cultivated around 7,000 years ago in the Mediterranean, where they are native to Southern Europe and North Africa. They have been mentioned in historical texts and are often associated with symbolism and presence in Christian Scriptures and other religions and cultures. Olive oil has long been considered sacred and is still used in religious ceremonies worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, olive trees in Australia can grow up to 15 metres, but they are usually less than half of that.
If you want a smaller olive tree, the Olive Piccolo is a good choice. These dwarf olive trees reach a maximum height of 1.5 metres and can be kept indoors or outdoors. However, it's important to note that they do not produce fruit.
The Kalamata olive tree, which can grow up to 6 to 8 metres tall, is a popular variety that produces juicy, sweet black olives. The South Australian Verdale olive tree is another moderate-sized option that produces large olive fruits.
