The olive tree, Olea europaea, is valued for its fruit and architectural beauty, making it popular beyond traditional Mediterranean climates. Its silvery-green foliage and gnarled trunk structure offer year-round aesthetic appeal, even when grown in containers. Understanding where to buy an olive tree and how to assess its health and suitability are the first steps toward a successful planting.
Sources of Purchase
The question of where to find an olive tree often comes down to balancing cost, convenience, and specialized knowledge. Specialty nurseries focusing on Mediterranean or drought-tolerant plants offer stock that is typically well-cared for and locally acclimated, promoting better long-term health. This higher quality and expert advice, however, comes with a higher price tag and potentially limited selection.
Big box stores and general garden centers provide the greatest convenience and the lowest initial cost. Plants here are often sourced in bulk and watered on a non-specialized schedule, meaning plant health and varietal accuracy can be inconsistent. Employees may not possess the specialized knowledge needed to advise on specific cultivars or regional pest issues.
Online vendors provide the widest selection, including rare or specialized cultivars like the cold-hardy ‘Frantoio’ or ornamental ‘Wilsonii.’ The drawback is the inability to physically inspect the tree before delivery, and the plant can experience stress during shipping. Buying online requires choosing a reputable supplier who provides clear information about the plant’s age and health guarantees.
Selecting the Right Cultivar
Choosing the correct cultivar is the most important decision, determining if the tree can survive the local climate and fulfill its intended purpose. Olive trees are native to warm regions, but several varieties exhibit notable cold tolerance, necessary for planting outside of USDA Zones 9–11. For instance, the Spanish ‘Arbequina’ tolerates temperatures down to approximately 15°F, while the Italian ‘Frantoio’ can handle dips closer to 10°F once established.
The intended purpose further narrows the selection, differentiating between trees grown for fruit production, oil, or ornamental value. Cultivars like ‘Koroneiki’ and ‘Arbequina’ are valued for their high oil yield and are often planted in high-density orchards. For table olives, ‘Manzanillo’ is popular, though it is susceptible to Olive Knot disease.
Ornamental varieties, such as the fruitless ‘Montra’ or ‘Wilsonii,’ are preferred by homeowners who want the signature silvery foliage without the messy fruit drop. These non-fruiting types still provide the characteristic drought tolerance and aesthetic appeal. Always confirm the cultivar’s self-pollinating status, as some varieties, like ‘Leccino,’ require a different nearby cultivar to produce a significant crop.
Quality Assessment Before Buying
A physical inspection of the tree is necessary to ensure health and prevent the introduction of pests or diseases. Examine the foliage, which should be a vibrant, even silver-green color, without significant yellowing, spotting, or the sticky residue known as honeydew, which suggests a scale insect infestation. Avoid trees with excessive leaf drop or lopsided growth, indicating neglect or inadequate light exposure.
Check the trunk and branches for signs of the bacterial disease Olive Knot, which appears as rough, woody galls or knots, typically 0.5 to 2 inches in diameter. If a graft union is present, it should be a clean, well-callused join between the scion and the rootstock. Ensure it is free of suckers growing from below the graft line, as these are from the rootstock and will grow into a different variety.
Assess the root health, a major indicator of future success. Gently lift the tree out of its container to look for a solid root ball that holds its shape. Visible, tightly circling roots or roots protruding excessively from drainage holes indicate the tree is root-bound, which stunts growth and hinders establishment. Healthy olive roots should appear light tan or white; dark, mushy roots suggest overwatering and potential root rot.
Practical Buying Logistics
When deciding on the size of the purchase, a trade-off exists between cost and immediate visual impact. Smaller saplings, often sold in 1-gallon or 4-inch containers, are less expensive and establish a new root system more quickly once planted. Larger, established container trees with a thick, gnarled trunk provide instant maturity and aesthetic value but come at a higher cost and may struggle to adapt if they have been root-bound for too long.
Agricultural regulations present a logistical hurdle for buyers ordering online or moving trees across state lines. Federal and state quarantine laws may restrict the movement of live plants between different agricultural zones to prevent the spread of invasive pests like the olive fruit fly. Buyers must check local regulations before ordering, as some states require a phytosanitary certificate to accompany the shipment, certifying the plant is disease and pest-free.
The optimal time for purchasing and planting an olive tree is generally in the early spring, after the last expected frost, or in the late fall. Spring planting allows the tree the entire growing season to establish its roots before winter stress. Fall planting, better suited for mild climates, allows root development in cooler, moist soil before the following summer’s heat.