Fact Sheet-07-39

Identification and Management of Russian-Olive

Earl Creech, State Weed Specialist, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Dawn Rafferty, Noxious Weed Program Coordinator, Nevada Department of Agriculture

Friend or Foe? L.). Some land managers and residents view

The definition of a weed is any plant
that is growing where it is not wanted. In
other words, a particular species may be
classified as a nuisance by one person
while another considers it to be a valuable
plant. For example, corn is grown on over
80 million acres in the United States, is the
source of billions of dollars in income for
farmers, and serves as food for millions of
people and animals. However, if a corn
plant is growing on the fairway of a golf
course, then it is, by definition, a weed.
In Nevada, perhaps no plant causes
feelings of division about its worth as much
as Russian-olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia
Russian-olive as a critical component of arid
landscapes. Others curse it as a dreaded
weed. Russian-olive thrives under the extreme
environmental conditions (e.g., temperature,
moisture, soils) of Nevada and has been widely
adopted as a hardy tree for landscapes and
windbreaks. However, Russian-olive has also
demonstrated the ability to escape cultivation
and become a difficult-to-control weed. The
weedy characteristics of Russian-olive have
led Colorado, New Mexico, and five Utah
counties to declare the species as a noxious
weed; meaning, it is illegal for a property owner
to allow the plant to grow within those states or
counties.

Russian-olive has been a popular windbreak tree and landscape ornamental

throughout the West, but the species frequently escapes cultivation and infests
riparian areas. Photo: Earl Creech
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 At this time, the Nevada Department of
Agriculture does not plan to list Russian-olive
as a noxious weed. The weedy nature of this
species, however, often raises questions
about its control. This publication provides
information about the identification, biology,
and control of Russian-olive so land
managers and residents can make
management decisions about this species.
Origin and Distribution
Russian-olive is native to eastern
Europe and western Asia. The species
arrived in the United States during colonial
times and moved west with the early settlers.
By the early 1900s, Russian-olive was
present in most western states. The first
known planting of Russian-olive in Nevada
occurred in 1906. Russian-olives ability to
thrive in arid environments has led to its
widespread use for windbreaks and
ornamental plantings throughout the West.
Soon after its introduction, Russian-
olive began to escape cultivation and become
weedy. The species is particularly suited to
invade seasonally wet riparian habitats. In
such areas, Russian-olive is highly
competitive and can displace native
vegetation, such as willows and cottonwoods.
The fruit of Russian-olive can be used for
food, but wildlife generally prefers to use
native vegetation. Russian-olive branches
often bear thorns that can interfere with the
movement of humans, livestock, and wildlife.
Growth of the species along the banks of
waterways can restrict water flow and
increase soil erosion.
The leaves of Russian-olive are lanceolate with a
green-gray upper leaf surface (top) and a silvery-
gray lower leaf surface (bottom). Photo: Earl
Creech
Branches of Russian-olive are dark reddish-brown
in color and usually have 1- to 2- inch woody
thorns. Photo: Earl Creech
Identification
General: Fast-growing, deciduous shrub or
small tree that usually reaches 10 to 25 feet
in height. Russian-olive forms a dense
thicket when a number of plants are growing
close together.
Leaves: Arranged alternately, 2 to 3 inches in
length, and lanceolate with smooth margins.
The upper leaf surface is green-gray while
the lower surface and leaf stalks are silvery-
gray. Foliage has an overall silvery
appearance from tiny scales that cover the
leaves.
Branches: Dark reddish-brown in color and
usually have 1- to 2-inch woody thorns.
Similar to the leaves, twigs are covered with
scales that give a silvery-gray appearance.
Flowers: Usually appear between May and
June, and are yellow, bell-shaped, and
arranged in clusters.
Fruits: Shaped like small olives and contain a
single seed. Newly-formed fruits are silver
but become tan or brown as they mature.
Roots: Deep and well developed. Regrowth
from crown or underground lateral roots is
common in cut trees.
Similar species: Russian-olive can be
confused with some species of willow (Salix
spp.) but is easily distinguished by its flowers
and seeds. Willows produce small,
inconspicuous flowers borne on erect stalks.
Russian-olive has large, yellow, bell-shaped
flowers. The seed of willow is attached to a

The yellow flowers of Russian-olive appear in the
spring and occur in clusters. Photo: Paul Wray,
Iowa State University, Bugwood.org
white, cottony pappus that facilitates wind
dispersal. Russian-olive seeds are encased
in the olive-like fruit. Russian-olive is
sometimes confused with silver buffaloberry
(Shepherdia argentea) but the two species
have different leaf arrangements. The leaves
of silver buffaloberry are opposite one
another. Also, the fruit is a small red-orange
berry. Russian-olive leaves have an
alternate arrangement. The berries are
silver-to-brown colored.
The fruits of Russian-olive have the appearance of
small, silver-to-brown colored olives. Photo: Earl
Creech
Biology
Russian-olive thrives under a wide
range of soil and moisture conditions. The
plant readily survives periodic flooding and is
drought tolerant. Russian-olive grows in
many types of soil (e.g., sandy, silty, loamy),
including sites with low fertility and high
salinity.
Russian-olive can form new plants
from vegetative structures but seed produces
the majority of new plants. Birds and other
animals consume the fruit and transport the
seed to other areas.
Control
Once established, control of Russian-
olive is difficult. Live seeds persist in the soil
for many years and disturbed plants can
regrow from lateral roots and other plant
parts. The most effective and least
expensive control tactic is to prevent
establishment of the first plant. Not using
Russian-olive as a landscape or ornamental
tree prevents if from escaping into adjacent
areas where it is not wanted. When new
infestations of Russian-olive emerge,
immediate application of control measures
usually eradicates the stand before it can
develop an extensive root system and
persistent seedbank.
Several management practices are
effective for controlling established stands of
Russian-olive. Saplings can be trimmed with
a tractor-mounted mower, but must be
repeated regularly. Mowing is a relatively
simple operation and the results occur
quickly. For large trees, top-growth can be
removed with a chain saw. Russian-olive can
regrow from cut stumps, twigs or branches.
Cut material must be removed and
destroyed. New sprouts that emerge from
the cut stump or lateral roots should be
pruned regularly.
A number of herbicides and
application techniques can be used to control
Russian-olive. Cut-stump applications
(herbicide applied to the stumps surface
immediately after removing top-growth) are
often successful. Effective herbicides contain
tryclopyr ester (Remedy, Garlon 4),
triclopyr (Garlon 3A), or imazapyr (Arsenal,
Habitat). Triclopyr ester or 2,4-D + triclopyr
(Crossbow) can be applied as basal-bark
treatments (herbicide applications made
directly to the lower 2 feet of an uncut
Russian-olive trunk). Finally, foliar
applications of 2,4-D, glyphosate (Rodeo,
Roundup, others), triclopyr ester, 2,4-D +
triclopyr, or imazapyr to fully expanded
leaves can succeed if applied two to three
times per year. Rodeo and Habitat are the
only products that are both effective on
Russian-olive and labeled for use in or
around water.
Once mature plants are controlled,
competition from desired plants is needed to
suppress the re-establishment of Russian-
olive. Establishing native plants, such as
willow and cottonwood, can reduce the
resources (i.e., light, water, and nutrients)
available to Russian-olive and, thereby,
suppress its establishment. Perennial under-
story species are also important competitors
with new Russian-olive seedlings. Failure to
establish adequate desirable vegetation
allows Russian-olive and other weeds to
rapidly re-invade the site.
No single control method or one-pass
effort will successfully eliminate Russian-
olive. The use of two or more control
methods (integrated weed management) for
several years is necessary. Permanent
control will require many years of monitoring
and treatment until the persistent seedbank
has been exhausted and all buds on the root
system have been completely killed.
References
Dewey, S. A., S. F. Enloe, F. D. Menalled, S.
D. Miller, R. E. Whitesides, and L.
Johnson. 2006. Weed Management
Handbook 2006-2007. Montana,
Utah, and Wyoming Cooperative
Extension. 267 pp.
DiTomaso, J. M., and E. A. Healy. 2007.
Weeds of California and Other
Western States. University of
California Division of Agriculture and
Natural Resources. Pub. 3488.
1:689-692.
Stannard, M., D. Ogle, L. Holzworth, J.
Scianna, and E. Sunleaf. 2002.
History, biology, ecology, suppression
and revegetation of Russian-olive
sites. Technical Notes: USDA-NRCS.
Plant Materials No. 47.
Whitson, T. D., L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D.
W. Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee,
and R. Parker. 2006. Weeds of the
West. 9th edition. Western Society of
Weed Science: Las Cruces, NM.
William, R. D., D. Ball, R. Parker, J. P.
Yenish, T. W. Miller, D. W. Morishita,
and P. J. S. Hutchinson. 2006.
Pacific Northwest Weed Management
Handbook. Oregon State University.
428 pp.
Information herein is offered with no
discrimination. Listing a product does not imply
endorsement by the authors, University of Nevada
Cooperative Extension (UNCE) or its personnel.
Likewise criticism of products or equipment not
listed is neither implied nor intended. UNCE and
its authorized agents do not assume liability for
suggested use(s) of chemical or other pest control
measures suggested herein. Pesticides must be
applied according to the label directions to be
lawfully and effectively applied.