Taggiasca Olive Tree

• Country of Origin: Italy
• Zones: 9b
• Looks: Of medium vigor with a pendulant open shape. The crown is very branched, spread out and well supplied with small, flexible fruiting branches at well spaced nodes. The leaves are medium to large, elliptical and elongated and are a shiny dark green color on the upper side.
• Personality: Cylindrical, elongated, slightly fatter at the bottom and of medium weight (3-3.5 grams). The fruit matures middle to late season (November, December). The fruit gives a relatively high yield in oil at the mill (23-26%) that is prized for its organoleptic characteristics.
• Facts of note: The principal cultivar of Liguria, self pollinating with a consistent and high production: flowers with aborted ovaries are at a minimum. It has a good resistance to all problems of pests and diseases.
• Pollenizer: Self pollinating, usually planted with other Italian varietals such as Leccino, Pendolino for increased yield.

For more information, please enjoy our Resource Guide for planting and growing olive trees.

Photos by Santa Cruz Olive Tree Nursery

Olive trees come potted and are self-fruitful (produce both male and female flowers on the same tree). Even if a pollenizer is not required, mixing varieties may help increase yields. See suggested trees under "Pollenizer" for each variety. Evergreen, long-lived, beautiful ornamental with soft gray-green foliage. The ideal time of year to plant olives is in early fall. Alternately early spring is another good time of year to plant olives. The slow growing trees reach about 25’–30’ in maturity. Depending on the variety, olives should begin to produce fruit 2-4 years after planting.

Thrives in hot summers but will tolerate coastal regions too. Winter temperatures shouldn’t drop below 22°–25°F (green fruit will be damaged at 32°F), but average winter temperatures above 50°F will inhibit fruiting. Drought resistant trees grow in alkaline soils with little fertilization. Plan your planting location to provide good drainage.

The potted trees will be about 18"-36” tall from the bottom of the pot to the top of the tree, approximately 1/8”–1/4” diameter (measured just above the graft).