Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia
MediumSecondary
ProductionNitrogen fixer
A hardy nitrogen-fixing windbreak with edible berries that shrugs off drought, salt and cold. A superb support tree — but invasive along waterways, so plant with care.
Tolerances & traits
- Strata
- Medium
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Loam
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -40°C
- Min. rainfall
- 300 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- High
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
How to manage it
Hardy nitrogen-fixing windbreak with edible fruit; tolerates drought, salt and poor soils and resprouts well after cutting. Remove root suckers and seedlings to keep it contained.
Watch out for
Name corrected from 'Eleagnus' to Elaeagnus angustifolia. Actinorhizal N-fixer but classed as noxious/invasive in much of North America, especially along waterways - check local regulations before planting.
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