Olive tree origin

The olive tree (Olea europaea) is an evergreen tree and belongs to the olive family. It probably originates from Asia Minor, in what is now Turkey. It has spread throughout the Mediterranean region through trade between ancient peoples. It has been known for thousands of years for its olive products, which are used both for food and for the production of oil and soap. The olive tree can become very old and grow up to 15 m tall.

The olive tree plays an important role in Mediterranean mythology and art. In Greek mythology, the olive tree was given to the city of Athens by the goddess Athena as a sign of peace. The olive tree was also mentioned in many other mythical stories and was a symbol of wisdom and fertility. In art, the olive tree was often depicted to convey the beauty and Mediterranean flair.

The flowers of the olive tree are small and inconspicuous and are produced in dense, fragrant panicles. They are white or pink and appear in spring. The flowers of the olive tree are dioecious, meaning there are both male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers produce pollen and the female flowers produce seeds. The leaves of the olive tree are egg-shaped and have a glossy, dark green color. They are short-stalked and have serrated edges. The leaves of the olive tree are very resilient and can survive extreme temperatures and drought well. They are also an important food source for many insects and birds. Olive trees bear their fruit in autumn. The olives are green to black and contain a lot of oil.

The olive tree requires a warm and sunny location with well-drained soil. It is undemanding in terms of soil, but it is important to water it regularly, especially in the first few years after planting. If cared for, the olive tree can be a valuable addition to the garden and bear fruit for decades. Olive trees are very hardy and can thrive in many climates as long as they get enough sun and water. There are also many different varieties of olive tree that are suitable for different purposes, such as growing olives for oil or making delicacies.

Olive tree care and location

The olive tree prefers a sunny and warm location with loose soil. It can grow in many different types of soil, but it prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with sufficient nutrients. The soil should be well drained to avoid waterlogging, as olive trees are sensitive to moisture in the root area. The roots of the olive tree are usually a maximum of 1 m deep, but can reach up to seven m deep into the ground in loose soil. The tree has shallow roots and forms strong lateral roots in addition to the taproot. The root system is highly branched and lies close to the surface.

To keep the olive tree in shape and improve yield, the best time to prune is in the autumn after the harvest. There are different types of pruning that can be done, such as removing dead or diseased branches, thinning branches that are too close together, or reducing the crown to make the tree smaller. Pruning should be done carefully to avoid damaging the tree.

Watering olive tree

Olive trees generally need less water than other trees and are able to withstand dry periods and high temperatures. During extremely dry periods and on days with full sun, it is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out completely. If the soil becomes too dry, there is a risk that the fine roots will die. Olive trees are better off being given a thorough watering once rather than watering them frequently in small amounts. If a garden hose is used for watering, a lot of water is lost through seepage or evaporation before it reaches the roots.
A more effective option is watering with baumbad Premium watering bagsThe bags have two holes in the bottom that release water evenly to the tree over a period of hours and evenly moisten the soil. Drip irrigation allows the roots close to the ground to absorb the water, which saves water because it does not seep into the soil unnecessarily. To provide young olive trees with enough water, it is enough to fill a tree bath irrigation bag.

Fertilizing olive trees

To fertilization Compost and horn shavings are well suited for olive trees. Olive trees growing outdoors should be protected from the cold temperatures in winter with a thick layer of mulch.

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