Visit our Trade web siteThe cultivated olive is an evergreen, usually around 15ft (5m) tall but can grow to 30ft (10m). The trunk is covered with a grey sinuous bark, tends to be twisted and gnarled, and often becomes hollow with the passing of time. The wood is very distinctive, characterised by an irregular grain which is very attractive when used to make simple items such as bowls.
The trees leaves are long and narrow, ashy grey green on top and a soft, silky white underneath. Its flowers are whitish and form in small, erect clusters. The fruit, which does not all ripen at the same time, ranges from ½ to 1½ inches (1½ to 3 ½ cm) and is green to begin with but changes colour as it ripens, turning pink, then violet and finally darkening to a rich deep glossy black.
The trees thrive in Mediterranean conditions. They require very warm average temperatures, and cannot tolerate cold below -12°C (10°F) but are hardy to drought and can withstand high winds. The trees can live for many hundreds of years and they can rejuvenate themselves even after being burned or cut down.
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