Russian Olive vs Sour Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Russian Olive vs Sour Cherry

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Prunus cerasus

Russian Olive
Sour Cherry

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.

Sour Cherry is cold-hardy and typically grows as a small tree. In late spring, it produces clusters of fragrant white blossoms that mature into bright red, tart fruit. Although the cherries can be eaten fresh, they are most commonly used in baking and preserves.

While not native to North America, Sour Cherry serves as a larval host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), a butterfly native to eastern North America.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting near additional cherry trees for cross-pollination can increase yields.

This Sour Cherry is produced from seed collected from an Evans Cherry and is not clonally reproduced.

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Sour Cherry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.49 - SAVE UP TO 42%
Lowest Price: $10.99 - SAVE UP TO 8%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: silver scales
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
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: silver berry oleaster, wild olive