Olea europaea Arbequina Olive Tree

Arbequina olive trees are hardy fast growing weeping evergreen tree with yummy edible olives. show improved hardiness compared with other varieties, withstanding occasional dips in temperature down to 5 degrees. They are exceptionally beautiful trees with silvery blue green foliage and a charming weeping form. A personal favorite. Arbequina Olives are small black olives with a light sweet nutty flavor. They make an exceptional extra virgin olive oil and is a chef and home cook favorite for it’s complex buttery flavor. For fresh eating the olives need to be cured 1st and should be processed as soon as possible after harvest. You can make a high quality Olive Oil at home by pressing fresh olives in small batches. Arbequina olives have some of the highest oil content of any olives, making them well suited to make oil.

Growing Arbequina Olive Trees:

Arbequina olives are self -pollinating, so you don’t need more than one. Olive trees can live hundreds of years developing gnarled bark and displaying amazing character. They can be grown outside in zones 8-10 and will slowly reach 25-30 ft with a spread of about 25 ft. In colder climates they can be grown in a large container and brought inside to a sunny window in winter. If grown in a container they will have more restrained growth and stay much more dwarf. They need at least 4- 8 hrs of sun to be productive. They make a beautiful patio tree with silvery blue green foliage and a weeping form. Arbequina olive trees are a wonderful variety for home gardeners and patio trees. They are prolific producers and can produce over 20 lbs of olives per year and can begin producing within 2-4 years. Olive trees need sharp drainage to avoid root-rot. Be sure to provide well- draining soil and make sure you have holes in the bottom of the planting container. For healthy fast growth they can be fertilized twice yearly with slow release high nitrogen fertilizer like 17-6-10.