While there are many benefits to having healthy trees in our yards and landscape, some can end up doing more harm than good. One such example is the Russian Olive tree, which is actually considered a List-B noxious weed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
If you’ve got one of these in your yard, read on to learn how it can harm your yard, and how ArborScape can help.
What Does a Russian Olive Tree Look Like?
- Grows narrow, silvery-green leaves
- Has reddish-brown scaly bark
- Produces olive-shaped fruit, which changes from a silvery color to a yellowish-red as it grows
- Has dense, thorny branches
- Can grow to about 30 to 40 feet tall
Is the Russian Olive Tree Invasive?
Yes, Russian Olive trees are considered invasive in several states, including here in Colorado. Though originally planted as to act as windbreakers, their rapid spread and growth has caused issues with the local ecosystem.
While it handles our alkaline soils just fine, mature trees can consume up to 75 gallons of water per day. Not only is this problematic with the drought we’re in, but it also takes water and other nutrients away from other trees and plants that need it more.
Russian Olives grow incredibly aggressively through root suckers, and the root systems can clog up waterways and disrupt natural water flow, which crowds out and essentially displaces native trees and plants.
Because the tree is considered List-B, there are sanctions with state-backed plans to help manage and mitigate the growth and spread of these trees. Basically, it’s no longer legal to buy, sell, or plant Russian Olive trees in the state of Colorado.
When to Remove a Russian Olive Tree
While there’s no reason to take down a healthy tree, there are some things to be cautious of when maintaining these types of trees.
One thing to note is that regular pruning for overall health can be tricky due to all the thorns on the branches.
Another thing to consider is their rapid growth. Root suckers and root development can make it tricky to keep the tree completely contained and from growing into water lines, or obstructing other plants or trees while depleting their nutrients.
Even removing these trees can prove to be tricky. Not only do the thorny branches make it difficult to haul away, but careful cleanup is a necessity, as propagation can happen rapidly from dropped seeds or remaining root suckers. In order to fully remove Russian Olives, a thorough stump grinding and root removal is also necessary.
While this all may seem a bit daunting, if your Russian Olive isn’t too overgrown, you might be able to do all this yourself.
However, if you’d like a second opinion, ArborScape is more than happy to provide you with a free quote. Our certified arborists can come up with an action plan to safely remove the tree, perform an immaculate cleanup job, and carefully remove the stump, all vital in ensuring a healthy yard.
Though it all may seem a bit tedious, think of this as just preventative measures to keep your yard safe.
We can even offer replanting options for trees that are much better suited to our elements and will coexist with the surrounding landscape.
Trust ArborScape to help you with your tree care needs, whether you need routine pruning, a recurring treatment plan, or to remove and replace an invasive shrub or tree. Our crews are trained under certified arborists and are qualified to apply tree care maintenance so your yard stays healthy for years to come!
Call now at (303) 806-8733 for more information, or fill out the form below to request a free estimate!
