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habitatmatters.org

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
Introduced to North America from Eurasia. 

Why is it a problem?
Like most invasive plants, Russian olive replaces native plants in high quality natural areas, which in turn reduces critical food resources for birds, butterflies, and other wild creatures.  Although it does provide a healthy supply of late season berries, Russain olive does not sustain insect populations during the growing season that songbirds require for their nestlings to survive to adulthood.

What does Russian olive look like?
Deciduous thorny shrub or small tree growing up to 30 ft. in height. It is rounded in shape with a loose arrangement of branches. Its leaves are simple, alternate, oblong and 1.5-3 inches in length with untoothed margins. They are a light green color, covered in silvery star-shaped hairs above and silvery white scales below. Russian olive flowers in early June-July, shortly after leave emergence. The flowers are small yellow umbel-shaped with silver on the inside, presented either single or clustered.

How do I manage Russian olive?
Monitor edge habitats during growing season when distinctive foliage is present, early detection is critical as large stands are extremely difficult to eradicate. Hand pulling smaller seedlings can be effective. Use cut-stump herbicide treatment with larger trees. Basal bark treatment may be effective on smaller trees. Burning, mowing, cutting and girdling all stimulate resprouting in larger plants without herbicide treatment. 

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Photo by: Paul Wray

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Contact US

1450 Cass Road
Traverse City, Michigan 49685
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(231)941 - 0960
Pleasant Peninsula Design, Habitat Matters 2017 
  • Home
  • About
    • About ISN & FAQs
    • Our Team
    • Our Partners
    • ISN Board of Directors
    • Employment
    • Enewsletter
    • Blog - Notes from ISN
    • Donate to ISN
  • Events
  • ID & Report
    • Top 12 Species
    • Early Detection Species
    • Awareness Species
    • Other Invasive Species >
      • Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
      • Aquatic Invasive Species
      • Lymantria Moths (gypsy moth)
    • ID and Reporting Tools
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • Education
    • Tool Library
    • Garlic Mustard Dumpsters
    • Planting Guide/Ordinance Templates
    • Requests For Bids
    • Treatment Information
    • Other Information
    • Native Plant Seeds
    • Invasive Species in the News >
      • ISN in the News
  • Go Beyond Beauty
    • Find Participants >
      • Nurseries/Garden Centers >
        • Bioconcentric Farms
        • Birdsfoot Native Nursery
        • Black Cap Farms
        • Bright Lane Gardens
        • Garden Goods
        • Greystone Gardens
        • Misty Ridge
        • Pine Hill
      • Landscapers/Professionals >
        • Cre Woodard
        • Cyman Gardens
        • Designs in Bloom
        • Greener Earth Landscaping
        • Heritage Landscape Design
        • Inhabitect, LLC
        • Lakeview Habitats
        • Laurel Voran, LLC
        • The Mossy Tree, LLC
        • Old Mission Associates
        • Inner-Coastal
        • Pine Hill
        • Silverman & Company
        • Sustainable Landscape Design, LLC
        • TruNorth Landscaping
        • Wildlife & Wetland Solutions
      • Community Participants
    • GBB Achievement Program
    • Register >
      • Registration Form (Garden Professional)
      • Registration Form (Individual or other org)
      • Start-up Materials
      • GBB Statewide Inquiries
    • Ornamental Invasive Species
    • Native Plant Species
    • Participant Signs
    • Japanese Barberry Trade-Up Day
    • GBB Resources
  • Contact