Olive tree
Olive tree: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Olive, Olea europaea, is an evergreen fruit tree in the olive family, closely associated with Mediterranean landscapes. It is grown for table olives and olive oil, and also has ornamental value. Its foliage remains throughout the year, unlike that of deciduous fruit trees. Generally slow growth and longevity give its outline a lasting place in a garden, whether the main interest is its appearance or its fruit.The leaves are simple, opposite, narrow and leathery. Their upper surfaces are green to grey-green, while the silvery undersides become visible as the foliage moves. This contrast accounts for the bright appearance of the canopy, rather than every leaf being uniformly silver. Trunk and branches gain character with age; old specimens may have strongly marked bark and distinctive outlines. A young olive consequently looks different from an old tree with a long-established framework.The small whitish flowers appear in groups along the shoots. Their understated…
