Russian Olive vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Russian Olive vs Western Chokecherry

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

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Russian Olive
Western Chokecherry

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.

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Foliage: silver scales
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
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)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry