Are Olive Tree Roots Invasive

In warm climates sweet olive s tiny white to orange flowers perfume the air from fall through winter.

Are olive tree roots invasive. To make the most of its fragrance grow this drought tolerant evergreen near a pathway or an entrance. Why it s a standout. Some tree root systems such as japanese fir acacia and vine maples are considered minimally invasive. Sweet olive can reach 8 to 15 feet tall and wide but it s typically pruned shorter or trained as a tree.

The roots spread at least as far as the most distant tips of the branches and invasive tree roots often spread much farther. Old olive trees can have invasive roots but usually most of the roots are spread out on the surface of the ground in the top two feet of soil. Invasive tree roots can be very destructive. Moist conditions in and around underground sewer pipes are attractive to the roots of many trees including the olive tree.

Walking through the local nursery and seeing all the flowering fruiting and shaded treasures you can choose is pure joy. Olive trees have a shallow root system they are not know as an invasive tree though you should never plant a tree within 10 feet of the home foundation. Grumpy explains after the flowers fade the tree grows hundreds of 6 inch long bean like brown seedpods which hang from every branch. Knowledge about problem tree roots and planting only those with non invasive root systems is the ideal situation.

The grumpy gardener sums it up calling them weedy short lived insect and disease prone with invasive roots and unattractive most of the year still not convinced. Tree roots will find the cracks or loose joints in the pipes enter at these openings and feed off the dampness and nutrients found inside growing and eventually blocking the sewer pipe. You could discover now deep these roots are and how far they go by digging down at a distance from the tree and seeing where the roots are. Salt buildup in the soil as well as roots exposed to severely low temperatures can cause olive roots to die back and may if not controlled threaten the olive tree.

The russian olive tree as opposed to the native american silverberry is considered a highly invasive species in some parts of the united states and canada. The olive tree roots are known to surface and can be damaged easily by mechanical equipment. This will not harm an old established olive tree. If there are obstacles like sidewalks close to your planting site.

The latin name of this tree is elaeagnus angustifolia and although it looks very similar to the common olive tree they belong to different plant families. As you re picking the right tree for the right place think about how big that tree will get and how far its roots will spread that way you won t have to cover up or deal with unsightly roots later.