Russian Olive Tree Uses
It is also one of the seven items which are used in haft seen or the seven s s which is a traditional table setting of nowruz the traditional persian spring celebration.
Russian olive tree uses. A comprehensive review was performed to extract the related data from published literature. In spring the discrete and delicate blooming will spread a fragrant bee pleasing odor and in fall yellow and silver colored fruits attract birds with their fruits which are edible even for us. A large number of compounds have been derived from russian olive and made this plant a source of flavonoids alkaloids minerals and vitamins. My fathers property in southern illinois is over whelmed with russian olive trees as they were used in near by coal mining areas during reclamation of the mines after they closed.
It is recommended for trimming parking lots and medians and can also be found in mining reclamation efforts. Russian olive tree photo by janice tucker elaeagnus angustifolia russian olive by janice tucker. Within this region it occurs primarily on coasts in riparian areas and in other relatively moist habitats. In iran the dried powder of the fruit is used mixed with milk for rheumatoid arthritis and joint pains.
It does have thorns and it is easy to work. Russian olive has no forage value for livestock or big game although both browse the foliage at times. It was cultivated for centuries as an ornamental tree 12 20 feet in height or trimmed to form a hedge. Russian olive is a perennial deciduous tree native to europe and asia.
Russian olive has escaped cultivation and become invasive. Birds in particular feed on the fruit. Russian olive trees are also excellent shade trees and are perfect to set up wild hedges. In montana russian olive has been used in shelterbelts windbreaks wildlife habitat ornamentals and wildlife habitat plantings.
Traditionally it has been used as an analgesic antipyretic and diuretic herbal medicine. It was introduced to north america in the early 1900s as a landscaping tree because it was thought to be useful as a windbreak soil stabilizer and habitat provider. Because the fruits stay on the tree in winter the seeds are dispersed mainly in droppings from birds that ate the fruits. Although the tree grows best in full direct sunlight it tolerates some shade.
Wild fowl and game birds eat the fruit and the tree is used for cover and protection. Like legumes the russian olive produces its own nitrogen in soil through small nodules attached to its roots. Plants thrive and spread along riparian corridors irrigation systems pastures saline affected areas and some wetland sites.