The Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia, trees in my back yard are forming leaves, which always makes me ponder the question of this column’s title. Some people value Russian olive trees as shade trees and windbreaks while others see them as weeds that need to be removed.
My yard has about eight of these trees, planted by a previous landowner, and I am loathe to cut down any tree. These hardy trees produce extremely aromatic flowers, but those dang long thorns. Colorado, New Mexico, and five Utah counties have declared this tree to be a noxious weed. My weed reference book Weeds of the West shows this tree’s dual nature. It states the Russian olive tree can be a desirable ornamental shade tree with value for wildlife food and shelter, but it can also be an invasive weed in low meadows and pastures.
Russian olive trees can grow as shrubs or as trees standing 12-45 feet high and 12-20 feet wide. The leaves are long, narrow, and have silvery undersides. The small, yellow and fragrant flowers grow in clusters. The fruits look like small olives. Wildlife eat the leaves and birds especially enjoy the fruits. However, the stems carry woody thorns one-to-two inches in length.
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These trees came from Europe in the late 1800s, and early settlers brought them west. By 1900, Russian olive trees grew in most of the western states. They invade areas so easily because they can grow in soils ranging from sandy to clay, do well in dry regions where they can also survive periodic flooding. Trees often move into an area along stream banks and can displace native vegetation, such as willows and cottonwoods. These trees are capable of growing six feet in a year. Russian olive seeds are spread by birds, coyotes, deer, and raccoons. The fruits float and are transported and dispersed along waterways.
Some national parks have active programs to remove Russian olive trees in an attempt to return to more native vegetation. Where people do not want Russian olives, they find it very difficult to remove these trees. Efforts usually involve cutting down trees and mowing brush. People then remove all cut material and spray the stumps to kill them, since the trees commonly spread from root suckers. Even then, seeds persist in the soil for several years. Other vegetation must be planted to cover the ground and keep Russian olives from coming back.
Yet on the other end of the scale, an Internet search finds a long list of sites advertising Russian olive shoots for sale. The Nevada Department of Forestry offers Russian olive seedlings during their Elko Tree Sale. Their seedlings are advertised for use as fast-growing windbreaks, shelterbelts, woodlots, erosion control, wildlife habitat, stream bank stabilization, and mine reclamation.
Hopefully, my Russian olive trees will someday provide valued windbreaks and bounteous shade before I poke myself too many times on their dang thorns.