Feral olive

General description

Evergreen tree or shrub < 15 m tall. Stems are erect and multi-branched. Leaves are opposite, narrow, dark green on top and silvery underneath. Flowers are small, white and borne in clusters in July – March. Fruit is a fleshy green drupe that ripens to black and contains one seed.

What you need to know

Although feral olive is not a legally declared pest plant, it may still be invasive in some situations. Consider lower risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Habitats

Open areas, riparian margins, cliffs, sand dunes, forest gaps and margins, roadsides.

Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by birds and other animals. Vegetative spread from suckering. Human-mediated dispersal through cultivation.

Impact on environment

Potential to outcompete native vegetation and suppress seedling recruitment. Increases fire risk.

Control

Site Management

Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: Seeds.

Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill if practical.

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

No qualifications: Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with metsulfuron gel.

Basic Growsafe certified: Cut stump and spray freshly cut base with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 1 L of water.

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.