Olive Tree Varieties

Our primary cultivar (cultivated variety) of olive tree is 'Arbequina Clone I-18', chosen for its adaptability, cold tolerance, small stature and early start of fruiting. The 'Arbequina' trees we ship should fruit within two years of your purchase, often within one year. 'Arbequina' trees to fifteen gallon (approx. 8'x6') are available at the nursery or by special arrangement for shipping. We will produce larger trees by contract.

Other cultivars available are: 'Frantoio', 'Koroneiki', 'Leccino', 'Manzanillo', 'Mission', 'Nicoise', 'Pendolino' and 'Picual'.

Arbequina

A tree of small stature typically 15 feet in height at maturity. Earliest to bear fruit, usually at three years of age. Cold hardy. Adaptable to a variety of olive growing regions. Self-fertile. Used for oil or table fruit.
Origin: Spain

Frantoio

Best for warmer climates (with temperatures rarely below 25 degrees F). A tree to 30 feet in height. Prized for fruity oil. Self-fertile.
Origin: Italy

Koroneiki

A small tree (15-20 feet). Self-fertile. Begins fruiting at three years of age. The chief oil variety of Greece. For warmer climates.
Origin: Greece

Leccino

A large tree to 30 feet. Particularly tolerant of cold. Comes into bearing early but needs a pollinator of another cultivar such as Frantoio or Pendolino. Used for oil or table fruit.
Origin: Italy

Manzanillo

A tree of medium size. Used for table fruit. Requires a pollinator. Best for warmer climates.
Origin: Spain

Mission

Variety derived from the tree left in California by Spanish monks in the 1700s. Used for oil or table fruit. Very resistant to cold (known to survive 8 degrees F in the Sacramento Valley). Becomes a large, upright tree, to 40 feet.
Origin: United States

Nicoise

A tree of medium size. Used for oil or table fruit. Cold resistant. Self-fertile.
Origin: France

Pendolino

Considered the universal pollinator because of its long bloom period. Early bearing. Requires a pollinator to set fruit. Tolerant of low temperatures. Used for oil production.
Origin: Central Italy

Picual

Most important oil variety of Spain. Self-fertile tree of medium size. Tolerant of cold.
Origin: Spain