Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:11 AM
Common Name: Russian Olive, Oleaster
Latin Name: Elaeagnus angustifolia
Family: Eleagnaceae
Size: Normally around 30 ft, can grow taller to 45 ft.
Shape: Extremely different shapes, tall and skinny, short and fat, multiple cluster, or singletrunk.
Trunk: Can have a large trunk in proportion to leaf canopy. Different colors of grey and brown. Wood is heavy and can be thorny.
Wood: Wood is heavy, and normally crooked.
Branches: The branches are normally growing for light, and sprout in every direction. They can commonly be prickly with thorns
Description: Around the GTA these trees are commonly planted along the side of QEW and similar highways for a quick growing and noise reducing plant. The trees also spread rapidly through their roots sprouting other trees. This tree doesn't mature to dangerous heights and is a perfect match for its purpose. These trees some how find their way into fence lines around residental properties that grow rapidly. People like them for a few years but then remove them.
