Shady Lady Black Olive Tree Pros and Cons

The Black Olive tree often referred to as the Shady Lady tree, is indigenous to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. It is often regarded as one of the most adorable trees that can be seen in South Florida. The tree produces tiny yellow flowers while it is in bloom, and its leaves are leathery, blush-green, and 5 to 10 centimeters long.

Black Olive Trees often grow to heights varying from 20 to 80 feet and generate trunks that are robust, solid, and of wide diameter. The bark that covers the trunks is typically thick, dense, grey in color, and deeply fissured. The majority of the branching spreads outward and horizontally, resulting in a tight, dense tree canopy.

Small, slick, oval leaves are light to medium green when they first appear and become a deep, slightly blue-tinted green as they grow. They spread out along stems with peculiar zigzag formations. In addition, some trees develop a piercing spine behind the leaf node on their old growth. The entire canopy is covered in tiny flowers that range in color from yellowish green to golden brown but have no petals. It produces a fruit that can't be eaten but is still appealing to birds because of its shape.

Pros:

The lovely Shady Lady black olive tree, with its luxuriant layers of small leaves on zigzag branches, is among the most gorgeous trees in South Florida.

When this tree is young, it has the appearance of a natural bonsai, giving the impression of being in an Oriental garden. It develops in tiered levels with a distinct gap between each horizontal branch set.

These trees are all distinct from one another, and their growth patterns vary. 

It is covered in tiny yellow-beige blooms in the spring, giving the tree the appearance of a light brown sugar icing.

If you have a yard that is not big enough for a Shady Lady tree, you might consider the dwarf black olive, which is a small accent tree that looks like a youthful variant of a Shady Lady.

Cons:

Many individuals have black olive trees in their yards, particularly the cultivar "Shady Lady." The black olive tree is a lovely, evergreen shade tree with horizontal branches that is generally simple to maintain and has only a few minor pest problems. It is often susceptible to attacks by caterpillars of various sizes, which destroy the leaves in a mangled state.

During the winter, a little migratory woodpecker known as sapsucker visits these trees. This bird makes holes in tree trunks by pecking at them, leaving rings of holes next to each other. These holes let the sap flow, which the sapsucker consumes. The sap also lures insects that are thirsty and consumed by these birds. 

FAQ's

Are black olive trees protected in Florida?

In Florida, tree removal is heavily governed by municipal and county regulations. The only prerequisite that applies to all cities is that the property owner acquire a permit to remove trees.

What does a black olive tree look like?

The lovely Shady Lady black olive tree is one of the most gorgeous trees that can be seen in South Florida. It has luscious layers of tiny leaves that are arranged on stems that are zigzagged. When this tree is young, it has the appearance of a natural bonsai and has an allure of an Oriental garden. It develops in tiered levels with a distinct gap between each horizontal branch set.

How fast do black olive trees grow?

A young olive tree will experience rapid expansion during its first few years of existence, but after that, its development will become more moderate.  The olive tree, which grows at a rate of less than 12 inches per year, is particularly prevalent in Mediterranean regions and in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Where do black olive trees grow?

It is not possible to cultivate black olives successfully in the open air across a large portion of the United States. If given the correct care, olive trees flourish in places like Arizona and the Californian coast. No matter where you reside, if you have a greenhouse, you can cultivate black olives.