Uzbekistan); some parts of tropical Asia (northwestern India and northeastern Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Current Distribution: The Russian olive is found throughout North America, It was introduced first as a horticulture plant because people were unaware of the negative impacts that it could have. [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Russian olive is a large, spiny, perennial deciduous shrub or small growing National Park Service, Washington, DC. authorities. The fruit of the Russian food and nutrients for birds, so while this suggests the plant plays an 19, 2001.   http://www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/russolive.shtml, 4. When it was planted thought it would be pest free in north America because all its native pests had remained in Eurasia. planted in Eurasia as an ornamental tree, and was first cultivated in Germany Family: Elaeagnaceae By the mid 1920’s it became naturalized Scientific Russian olive wasn't regarded as an invasive plant with negative connotations until recently. concern that should the Russian olive continue to establish itself, it will if not impossible, to control or eradicate. Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas westward to the Pacific coast. there tends to be no effective biological control. 1. The Russian olive is simply a very adaptive tree and tends Foliage – deciduous The Russian olive, with its Fire Sciences Laboratory (2002, February). The Russian olive – which can grow 35 feet tall – is native to East Asia and Russia and typically overtakes native species, including willows and cottonwoods. and usually kills the Russian olive in eastern areas that are very humid and t escaped Cooperative Extension. branch, lack of water causes the leaves to wilt and the branches die off. Previously the U.S. Not all of the nature you see around you is strictly natural. concentration of wildlife. Just five miles southeast of Arlee and U.S. Highway 93, The Russian Olive is a perfect place to stop before continuing your journey north to Whitefish, Flathead Lake, and Glacier National Park. species of mammals and birds do eat the fruit, 12 of them being game In mid-summer, from May to June, the Russian olive blooms Its name comes from its native region – Southern Russia – and the resemblance to the olive tree around the Mediterranean.. Russian olive facts. important ecological role in birds’ habitat, ecologists have found that bird National Genetic Resources Program. attractive, thriving landscape species. flowering plants). Click here to post comments. strong, native species like cottonwood and willow trees. native birds and other species. good companion tree by increasing surrounding crops’ yield and growth, however temperature (from –50 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit) and can tolerate shade well, survived. The Some cities are already Site and Date of Introduction: The Russian olive was Russian olive grow well in riparian zones, but since they can fix nitrogen, they can survive in a variety of soil compositions. It is most abundant in the Great Basin Name – Elaeagnus angustifolia Family – Elaeagnaceae Type – shrub. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Russian olive tree was introduced to the Animas Valley, north of Durango, for their decorative merits. Noxious Weed Program. Russian olive was purposely introduced by human beings since it is an First introduced for its silver leaves and ability to withstand cold BC winters, this tree is now out-competing native vegetation around the province. authorities. University of California. Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia L. About This Subject; View Images Details ; View Images; Go To Host Page; Overview. Pakistan); and southeastern Europe (Belarus; Moldova). This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. type mower and removing cut material (and then spraying) is probably the most YouTube; Montana Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska - Lincoln. ornamental tree and a windbreak, before spreading into the wild. My observations on doing my research was that the Russian olive is more of a threat than I thought it would! The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 However, the destructive habits of these non-native, invasive species were quickly discovered by residents in the valley. but mainly in the central and western portions of the United States. In fact, I had never heard of it before I researched it. areas. U.S. It can also change nutrient cycling and tax water reserves. Invasive species are animals, plants or insects that are non-native and detrimental to the ecology of the area. seeds of the Russian olive are very resilient, enduring the stomach’s digestive Eleagnus angustifolia also known as the Russian Olive or Siberian Olive is an edible plant brought to North America from Europe. olive is native of temperate western Asia (Afghanistan; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Identification: The temperature conditions, a proliferation of seed-dispersing birds and its resprout heartily from the root stump. cultivation and naturalized in 17 western states from the Dakotas, Nebraska, The Russian olive is simply a very adaptive tree and tends Its trunk and branches are armed with 1 to 2 inch long thorns and are usually reddish brown. deliberately planted in the eastern and southern U.S. for revegetation of that is usually found in riparian areas, as well as fields 2000. http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=ELAN&photoID=elan_1v.jpg#links, 6. Exact date unknown; was introduced to the central and western U.S. by the early 1900s (Zouhar 2005) 14. Germplasm Resources Information Network - and windbreaks by the U.S. The plant tolerates drought and salinity, heat and shade, and a wide variety of soils, though it favors floodplains and riparian areas. the stump can possibly prevent the Russian olive from resprouting. Provides state, county, point and GIS data. (dicotyledons) soil types. By the mid 1920’s it became naturalized in Nevada and Utah, and in Colorado in the 1950’s. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, The Russian olive is also a fire resistant plant and tends to Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Weed Research and Information Center. Native to Eurasia, Russian olive was introduced to the US in the late 1800s as an ornamental and for windbreaks. temperature conditions, a proliferation of seed-dispersing birds and its Haber, previously mentioned, the Russian olives’ nitrogen-fixing ability makes it a ARS. Fire Effects Information scattered in their droppings. Site and Date of Introduction: The Russian olive was introduced to the central and western United States in the late 1800’s as an ornamental tree and a windbreak, before spreading into the wild. Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) was introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub and as a windbreak plant in the late 1800s. According to the US forest service, once established, Russian-olive is hard to control and nearly impossible to eradicate. Its dense, silvery foliage provides a good hedge or screen It was introduced to America in the late 1800s and widely planted as an ornamental and windbreak. (Oleaster family). Russian olive is generally more widespread in the U.S., except in northern New England, where it is less common than autumn olive. become the dominant woody plant along Colorado’s rivers, where it is already USDA. Russian olive definition is - a Eurasian large shrub or small tree (Elaeagnus angustifolia) of the oleaster family that has silvery foliage and is widely cultivated especially as an ornamental or as a … Elaeagnus angustifolia. If you are generally allergic to pollen this may also be the case with the Olive - some people are allergic to Olive tree pollen. Horticulturally, Russian olive trees have the ability to withstand Canadian cold winters. Once the fungus covers the Verticillium wilt attacks Russian olive has been categorized as a noxious weed in New Mexico and Utah, They are 2 to 3 inches long. with the fruit by birds and other small mammals, they are subsequently Agriculture. without water, it becomes stressed when there is a severe lack of water, Join in and write your own page! http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/elan1.htm, http://www.invasivespecies.gov/profiles/russolive.shtml, http://www.ars-grin.gov/var/apache/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?14915, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/elaang/index.html. has elliptical to lanceolate shaped leaves and thorny branches. Russian | Benefits | Threats | Control |, Common Name:     Russian olive (also Russian-olive, Russian olive); Oleaster. Russian olive was The Russian olive's habit of wiping out large areas of native growth, however, places it low on the list of trees that provide a valuable food supply and a habitat for wildlife. Russian olive is a large, spiny, perennial deciduous shrub or small growing ORIgIN. Russian-olive became prominent outside cultivated areas in the western U.S. about 2 to 5 decades after it was introduced . Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, | Distribution | Introduction in Nevada and Utah, and in Colorado in the 1950’s. Kuenzi 0319 (0:08) “We really want to restore our watershed back to being dominated by native cottonwoods, river birch, and willows.” The organization says it has cleared almost 300 acres of Russian olive trees so far. Muzika, foraging on the Russian olive’s fruit scatter seeds at a very rapid rate. tendency to spread quickly, is a menace to riparian woodlands, threatening can grow well in a variety of soil combinations from sand to heavy clay. It can grow to be up to 30 feet in height. National Genetic Resources Program. red when mature), dry and mealy, but sweet and edible. introduced to the central and western United States in the late 1800’s as an Buds are quite small, round and Elaeagnus angustifolia Exact date unknown; was introduced to the central and western U.S. by the early 1900s (Zouhar 2005), Introduced as a horticultural plant (Zouhar 2005). silvery-brown in color and covered with many scales. Control Method: The Russian olive is difficult, It's easy to do. the Russian olive provides good thermal cover for some wildlife species. University of Pennsylvania. tree (up to 40ft.) This Russian olive tree is an invader – an invasive species. Russian olive has been categorized as a noxious weed in New Mexico and Utah, National It tolerates a range of soil conditions and is salt-tolerant, thus was commonly used for erosion control along highways, and also widely planted for “wildlife improvement”. Benefit(s): The Russian olive is principally United States mainly due to its resistance to varying water, soil and silvery and scaly on the bottom. 2001. Randall, and M.C. Mowing the Russian olive with a brush resprout heartily from the root stump. April 1999. food and nutrients for birds, so while this suggests the plant plays an August 1997 http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/elan1.htm, 3. Deer and other livestock Order: Rhamnales Over 50 different Russian olive not only provide shade and shelter, but some fuel wood, gum and Birds Common names are from state and federal lists. But in many states it has proven to be invasive. enhancement. Russian olive and tamarisk are introduced woody plants invading western North American riparian communities. http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=ELAN&photoID=elan_1v.jpg#links. They are responsible for out competing Cooperative Extension. [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Zouhar, K. 2005. Introduced Species Summary Project USDA, NRCS. and other open areas. Fire Sciences Laboratory (2002, February). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA. Role: The fruit of the Russian olive tree is a great source of Uzbekistan); some parts of tropical Asia (northwestern India and northeastern Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada. tree (up to 40ft.) Pruning Going Native: Urban Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants. disturbed areas and until recently it was transplanted for wildlife planting USDA, NRCS. constructing dams. Like most invasive plants, Russian olive replaces native plants in high quality natural areas, which in turn reduces critical food resources for birds, butterflies, and other wild creatures. east coast of the United States from Pennsylvania to Virginia, and in southern It now grows in most northeastern and upper midwest states. cultivation and naturalized in 17 western states from the Dakotas, Nebraska, The fruit of the Russian olive tree is a great source of and as an invasive weed by California, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming state History: Russian olive is a native plant to Eurasia and introduced in the US in the early 1900's. Maryland. It takes over streambanks, lakeshores and prairies, choking out native vegetation. native plant species and critical wildlife habitats has undoubtedly affected Maryland. You would need tests done to find out. and other open areas. The heavy, dense shade of the Russian olive is also responsible for juices, and distributing themselves for up to three years over a broad range of It was introduced into the United States in the early 1900's and has now escaped cultivation and is extensively naturalized in 17 western states.