Russian Olive vs River Birch - TreeTime.ca

Russian Olive vs River Birch

Betula nigra

Elaeagnus angustifolia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

River Birch
Russian Olive

River Birch has beautiful, peeling, brown bark that reveals camel-colored and pink beneath. It is more borer resistant than white bark birches, which makes it a much longer-lived landscape tree.

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.

River Birch Quick Facts

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.49 - SAVE UP TO 58%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: none


Foliage: silver scales
Bark: dark gray-brown or pinkish-brown and scaly
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
Seeds: tiny winged seeds located within the catkins
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: black birch, water birch
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive