Olive Pendalino

Good oil producing tree with weeping habit. Mainly grown for high fruit production and as a pollinator. Pollinators include Leccino. The mature fruit are dark purple-black an are either squeezed to produce an oil with a distinct taste or eaten fresh. The fruit originate from masses of white- cream flowers borne in summer.

Plant in a sunny, sheltered position in average type soils that are free-draining. Olive trees show a marked preference for soils that are free draining soil with reasonable moisture retention. They tolerate drought well, thanks to their sturdy and extensive root system. Spread the roots when planting as they are relatively shallow and would benefit from this.

A seaweed fertilisers will address the trace element requirements as well as the general nutrient needs.  Trimming for a more open canopy will assist pollination, air movement, spray penetration and fruit colour

Ola Pendalino is one of the more popular Olive tree varieities  and often grown commercially for fruit production in NZ.  In the home garden it makes an impressive specimen and is useful for screening and wind protection, hedging, topiary.  For a hedge plants 75cm – 1 metre apart.