Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade

Waterlow to medium

↑ Gives back

Biomassmedium

Shademedium

Sea buckthorn

Both are nitrogen fixers and can grow well together, though competition for light may occur if not managed.

Siberian crab apple

Nitrogen fixer that can benefit nearby trees.

Emergence

New growth emerges after the last spring frost when temperatures consistently rise above 50C.

Flowering

Flowering typically occurs about 60 days after emergence, lasting for approximately one month.

Fruiting

Fruits begin to develop about 45 days after flowering and ripen over a two-month period.

Senescence

Leaves begin to senesce and drop with the onset of the first autumn frost.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Drainagewell-drained to poor drainage

Nitrogen fixingYes

MycorrhizalYes

Accumulatesnitrogen

Soil texturesandy, loamy, clay

Organic matterMedium

Compaction toleranceHigh

Methodsseeds, cuttings, suckers

Difficulty3 / 5

Establishes in~2 yr

Stratificationrequires cold stratification for 2-3 months

Self-seedingAggressive

Divisionspring

Attractsbees, birds