Origin : .

The European Olive ( olea europaea ) was cultivated as early as 600 BC in Greece and North Africa , but there is circumstantial evidence that the Olive has been cultivated for 5000-6000 years . In the wild it grows in almost all of Africa (except its central part) , the Arabian Peninsula , the Mediterranean countries of Western Asia (Cyprus , Israel , Jordan , Turkey) and Southern Europe (Albania , Greece , the countries of the former Yugoslavia , Italy , France , Spain , Portugal) . There are 80 variants of the Olive , but only Olea europaea has edible fruit . It is an extremely long-lived species , it can live up to 1000 years .

CHARacteristics :.

Olea europaea begins to bear fruit as early as 4-5 years old , it reaches its highest productivity at 30-40 years old , it bears fruit until the end of its life . Undemanding plant , grows and fruits even on barren , rocky soils , on hillsides and mountains . Its ability to survive in warm climates , in low rainfall areas , often in semi-desert conditions , is due to its very strongly developed root system . When cut from the trunk of the olive tree , it easily forms offshoots arising from sleeping buds . Over time, these offshoots take over the function of the trunk and the tree continues to grow . Olive is an evergreen, not very tall tree, sometimes a shrub . It reaches a height of up to 12 meters . Trunk usually crooked and knotty , especially in older specimens , abounding in numerous offshoots . It has overhanging branches and light-colored bark . Older trunks often consist of several outgrowths and are covered with nodules . The leaves are dark green on top , silvery ashy underneath , covered like the twigs with hairs . Olea europaea is an unusual , majestic tree , which will give prestige and elegance in any garden .

Requirements :.

Olea europaea (olive tree) we can grow in pots indoors , as well as in the ground , where it feels best in a sunny , sheltered place with well-drained soil , but it can also be sandy soil . Older trees in the ground can tolerate short-term temperature drops to about -15 degrees , while with prolonged frost to about -8/-10 degrees . However, it is recommended at prolonged temperatures exceeding – 10 degrees , to protect the entire plant with agrofiber , heating cable and use a protective hood .