Mayday Cherry vs Russian Olive - TreeTime.ca

Mayday Cherry vs Russian Olive

Prunus padus

Elaeagnus angustifolia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Mayday Cherry
Russian Olive

Mayday Cherry is a small deciduous tree known for its early blooming and fragrant white flowers.

A favourite specimen tree on prairie homesteads, Mayday Cherry produces small black berries that are inedible to people but highly desirable to birds.

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.

Mayday Cherry Quick Facts

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: none

Toxicity: seeds and leaves are toxic if ingested

Foliage: silver scales
Flowers: early blooming, white
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: small black berries
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
Berries: small black berries
Seeds: located within the berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: common bird cherry, european bird cherry
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive