Olive

Olea europaea

Layer 2 · Understorey
Edible companion

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

The olive tree is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean basin, recognised for its drought resistance and extreme longevity. In a food forest system, it acts as a productive open-canopy species, allowing filtered light to enter and benefit the lower herbaceous layer. Its fruit and the extracted olive oil constitute a fundamental food and economic resource in Mediterranean culture.

See the guild for an olive on your land

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Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Evergreen tree up to 10 m
Mature diameter: 6 m
Soils: Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January — Harvest
February — Planting
March — Planting
April — Planting
May
June
July
August
September
October — Harvest — Planting
November — Harvest — Planting
December — Harvest

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The fruits produce olive oil of high nutritional and culinary value, and an infusion of the leaves has antioxidant and hypotensive properties.

Where to buy

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.