Green Ash vs Russian Olive - TreeTime.ca

Green Ash vs Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Russian Olive
Green Ash

Russian Olive is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has attractive silvery coloured foliage with small yellow flowers that emit a fragrant sweet smell.

It is drought and salt tolerant, and works well as a shelterbelt species. Russian Olive can also be used to combat erosion.

Note: although Russian Olive is planted as an attractive boulevard tree in many northern areas, in warmer areas it can invade watersheds and is considered invasive. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

Green ash is a fast growing tree with incredible golden yellow leaves in fall. This tree is native to the prairies and is well suited for drought and cold. Green ash can also tolerate soil compaction, periods of flooding and a wide variety of soils including alkaline. This makes green ash ideally suited for use in urban environments.

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Green Ash Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.49 - SAVE UP TO 42%
Lowest Price: $2.99 - SAVE UP TO 40%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2b
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 12 m (40 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Foliage: silver scales
Fall colour: bright yellow in early fall
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
Seeds: seeds located within samaras
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)

In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive
Other Names: downy ash, red ash, swamp ash, water ash