Frequently Asked Questions

Are they green or black olives?
How long before I get fruit?
Can they be grown in pots?
What pests do they get?
How much fruit can one tree bear?

Are they green or black olives?

Both. All olives left on the tree will eventually ripen to black. "Green ripe olives" are picked at a certain stage of development, when the juice inside turns from clear to milky. Olives to be used for oil are left on the tree until at least some color change has occurred. "Black ripe olives" can be ripened on the tree or turned black in processing, as with "California Black Ripe Olives."

How long before I get fruit?

That is a function of cultivar. "Arbequina" and "Koroneiki" fruit at an early age (about 3 years). Other varieties don't fruit until they are five to ten years old, depending on cultivar. Click here to learn more about olive tree varieties.

Can they be grown in pots?

Yes, but it will require more attention and care than growing in the ground. Most people use a pot that is too small. To keep any tree in a pot for long requires a really big pot. There are many sources of information about growing in containers.

What pests do they get?

In 20 years of growing olives, the only significant pest we have found is an armored scale insect. The trees you receive from us will be pest-free, but you should monitor your tree for pests. If scale insects are found they may be controlled by a number of products, both organic and not. If you have only one or a few trees the simplest control is manual — remove them with your hands.

How much fruit can one tree bear?