What is Olive tree?
The olive is a long-lived evergreen tree of Mediterranean landscapes. Cultivated varieties of Olea europaea provide olives and olive oil.
Botany and life cycle
1. Identity and native range Olea europaea belongs to Oleaceae. Centuries of cultivation around the Mediterranean can make planted and wild stands difficult to distinguish. 2. How to recognize it Narrow leathery leaves have dark upper and often silvery lower surfaces. Old trunks may twist. Small pale flowers produce stone fruits that can darken when ripe. 3. Flowering and reproduction Wind carries pollen during spring flowering. Compatible cultivars and weather affect fruit set. Seed-grown trees need not retain a named cultivar’s traits.
Ecology, cultivation and uses
4. Habitat and ecology It thrives in sunny regions with dry summers. Established trees tolerate drought, but reliable fruit production depends on water management. Groves can shelter wildlife. 5. Cultivation and care Provide sun and well-drained soil. Water young trees until established, prune to admit light and monitor pests. Frost and waterlogging pose risks. 6. Uses and cautions Fruit is processed for table olives or oil; raw fruit requires treatment to reduce bitterness. Quality depends on cultivar and handling. Medicinal claims need separate clinical evidence.