Olive Trees
Tested in the PNW
Our trees have been propagated on-site from the hardiest, most resilient trees on our property – the trees that survived the “heat dome”, then a few short months later, snow, ice, and sub-freezing temps. – making them are our most drought, and cold tolerant trees. We offer a selection of oil, table, and dual-purpose (may be used for oil and/or table) olives.
Olive trees are wind pollinated, and become more drought and cold tolerant with age.
Each cultivar/variety has its own personality, and we can help you find the right fit for you and your landscape, orchard, or containers. With nearly 30 cultivars* in our orchard, you’re sure to find your perfect tree!
French Cultivars
Aglandau
(also known as Verdale) – A dual-purpose French cultivar widely planted in the Alpes de Haute Provance and the Valcluse. One of our most productive trees, though slower to gain height than other cultivars.
Bouteillan
Widely planted in the Var and Languedue, this French cultivar is best suited to olive oil. A fast-growing tree with a lovely shape – makes an excellent landscape specimen.
Lucques
(also known as Lucquoise)- This cultivar is the main French variety, and is best suited for table olives. It is an excellent pollinator, with medium sized fruit that is reddish-brown at maturity.
Rubra
This French cultivar is best suited for table olives. It can grow rapidly, and begin fruit production early. Fruit is large, and jet-black at maturity.
Tanche
A dual-purpose French cultivar. Fruit is large, and violet-black at maturity. The best French variety for making black olives.
Italian Cultivars
Ascolana Tenera
A dual-purpose Italian cultivar, though it is best suited to table olives. A heavy bearing tree, with large fruit that is light green at maturity. Pollinator(s) – ‘Leccino’, ‘Frantoio’, ‘Pendolino’.
Casaliva
An Italian cultivar best suited to olive oil, it is planted widely throughout the lake region of Lombardy. Fruit is almost black at maturity. Pollinator(s) Pendolino.
Coratina
Originating from the Puglia area of Italy, this cultivar is best suited to olive oil. A medium sized plant with slightly pendulant habit. Medium sized fruit with black tips at maturity. Pollinator(s) – ‘Frantoio’, ‘Leccino’.
Frangivento
Originating from the Puglia area of Italy, this cultivar is suited to olive oil. A plant that gains height rapidly, with a more upright, almost columnar, growth habit. Pollinator(s) – ‘Frantoio’, ‘Leccino’, ‘Pendolino’.
Frantoio
Originating in Tuscany, this cultivar is best suited to olive oil. Frantoio is widely planted and appreciated, not only in Tuscany and the central zones of Italy, but throughout the world. Frantoio is considered one of the “super Tuscan’s”. Pollinator(s) – reputedly self-fertile.
Itrana
A dual-purpose Italian cultivar, though it is best suited to table olives. Fruit is medium sized, and a dark wine color at maturity. Pollinator(s) – reputedly self-fertile.
Leccino
Originating in Tuscany, this cultivar is best suited to olive oil. Another widely planted cultivar, Leccino is considered one of the “super Tuscan’s”. Fruit is purple/green at maturity. Pollinator(s) – ‘Frantoio’, ’Maurino’, ‘Pendolino’.
Maurino
Originating in Tuscany, this cultivar is best suited to olive oil. Maurino is an excellent pollinator, with a pendulous growth habit. It is considered one of the “super Tuscan’s”. Fruit is purple/black when mature. Pollinator(s) – ‘Pendolino’, ‘Leccino’, ‘Frantoio’.
Nocellara del Belice
(also known as ‘Castelvetrano’) – Originating in Sicily, this a dual-purpose Italian cultivar, though it is best suited to table olives. Pollinator(s) – ‘Maurino’, ‘Frantoio’, “Leccino’.
Pendolino
Originating in Tuscany, this cultivar is best suited to olive oil. With a slow, weeping growth habit, it is an excellent pollinator with good fruit production. Fruit is black in color at maturity. Pollinator(s) – ‘Leccino’, ‘Maurino’.
Santa Caterina
A Tuscan variety, and a favorite for table olives. Producing very large olives, which ripen early. Harvest when fruit is still an intense green.
Taggiasca
Originating in Liguria, this Italian variety is best used for olive oil. It has an open shape, and is less “bushy” than most olive trees. Pollinator(s) – reputedly self-fertile.
Spanish Cultivars
Empeltré
This dual-purpose cultivar originated in Catalonia. Fruit is of small/medium size, and black at maturity.
Hojiblanca
This dual-purpose cultivar originated in Andalusia. Its name means “white leaf” referring to the color of the back of the leaves. Fruit is medium in size.
Manzanilla de Sevilla
Originating in Andalusia, this cultivar is best used for table olives. Large olives, which ripen early. Harvest when fruit is still green. Pollinator(s) – ‘Picual’.
Picual
Originating in Andalusia, this cultivar is best used for olive oil. Fruit is medium in size, and black at maturity. Pollinator(s) – “Manzanilla de Sevilla’.
Picudo
A dual-purpose Spanish cultivar. It is a very good pollinator, producing large sized fruit which is black in color at maturity. A much-appreciate table olive.
Greek, Egyptian, & US Cultivars
Amphissa
A dual-purpose Greek cultivar. Large fruit which ripens early, and should be harvested when still green for table olives. This is the main Greek variety for table olives.
Kalamata
A dual-purpose Greek cultivar, though best suited to table olives. It is grown for use in “Greek Style Black Olives”. This is a grafted plant, and is tender in our region. Plant only in well protected locations.
Hamed
This Egyptian cultivar is best suited for table olives. The fruit is large and excessive fruit set can damage the tree. Pollinator(s) – reputedly self-fertile.
Mission
A dual-purpose Californian cultivar, though best suited to table olives. Rapid, upright growth is a hallmark of this tree. It can be cold sensitive, so it should be planted in a protected location. Pollinator(s) -reputedly self-fertile.
*Not all cultivars are available at all times. Please email us ahead of time to ensure availability.
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