Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Fodder: Bank  Industrial Crop: Biomass  Management: Coppice  Management: Coppice  Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils that are well-drained[200], though it dislikes shallow chalk soils[98]. Prefers a light sandy soil that is only moderately fertile[11], succeeding in poor soils and dry soils[11, 200]. Requires a position in full sun, growing very well in hot dry positions[182]. Plants are very drought and wind resistant[1, 166, 200], they tolerate conditions of considerable salinity and alkalinity[227]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c[184]. However, plants prefer a continental climate[49] and are apt to be cut back in severe winters in Britain because the summer is often not warm enough to have fully ripened the wood[1]. A very variable species[214]. This species is often cultivated in N. Europe for its edible fruits, there are many named varieties and some of these are thornless[214]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[160, 200]. An excellent companion plant, when grown in orchards it can increase yields from the fruit trees by up to 10%. Plants are very tolerant of pruning, they usually resprout freely even when cut right back to the ground. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[88, 200]. The flowers are sweetly and heavily scented[184]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fleshy. Thick or swollen - fibrous or tap root [2-1]. Elaeagnus species are relatively fast-growing shrubs or small trees, typically reaching maturity in 3 to 5 years. They can grow to heights of 1 to 5 meters (3 to 16 feet) depending on the species and growing conditions. Fruits from Elaeagnus species are usually harvested in late summer to early autumn, depending on the species and local climate. Elaeagnus species generally flower in late spring to early summer depending on the specific species and environmental conditions. Many Elaeagnus species are self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit without needing another plant for cross-pollination. Russian olive, now best referred to as Elaeagnus angustifolia, belongs to the oleaster family (Elaeagnaceae) and the genus Elaeagnus. Common names include Russian olive and Asian silverberry. It is a thorny deciduous shrub or small tree that is generally hardy in roughly USDA Zones 3–8, and sometimes beyond in dry inland climates. Mature plants commonly reach about 3–9 m tall and 3–8 m wide, though old trees along waterways can become broader and more substantial than drought-stressed plants on drier ground. Habitat & Range: It is now naturalized across much of the United States and is especially common in the central and western states. It is frequently found along riverbanks, sandy washes, lakeshores, roadsides, and disturbed ground. In many interior western regions it is most abundant in riparian corridors and other places where birds and water help disperse seed. Size & Landscape Performance: As a landscape tree, Russian olive is valued for its narrow silvery leaves, fragrant flowers, rapid establishment, and tolerance of difficult soils. It can function as a windbreak, screening plant, or ornamental small tree, but its thorniness and invasive tendencies often outweigh those advantages. In dry landscapes it can be visually striking, particularly when contrasted with darker green vegetation. Cultivation (Horticulture): Russian olive is easy to grow and requires little pampering once established. It tolerates poor soils, drought, and wind and has historically been planted as a shelterbelt or ornamental tree. However, because of its invasive behavior in many regions, intentional planting is now often discouraged or prohibited. Where it already exists, management generally focuses more on control than encouragement. Pests & Problems: The biggest “problem” is ecological aggressiveness. Russian olive can establish dense thickets along watercourses and displace native vegetation. Thorns also make maintenance difficult. Fruit quality can be disappointing on dry sites, and trees can become scruffy if unmanaged. Despite these issues, it is generally a tough and resilient species with few limitations once established in suitable conditions. Identification & Habit: Russian olive is a thorny shrub or small tree with alternate, narrow, lance-shaped leaves covered in silvery scales or hairs. The flowers are yellowish, small, and fragrant, produced in leaf axils. Fruits are ellipsoid, olive-like, and silvery to yellowish or reddish-brown at maturity. The overall impression is of a silver-gray, narrow-leaved, thorny tree with dusty-looking fruits and a strong riparian or disturbed-ground presence. Pollinators: The fragrant flowers are attractive to bees and other nectar-seeking insects. Although the flowers are not showy from a human decorative standpoint, they are strongly scented and can be important to pollinators during bloom.

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Nitrogen  Plants that contribute to nitrogen fixation include the legume family – Fabaceae.
• Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Linear plantings of trees and shrubs designed to enhance crop production, protect people and livestock and benefit soil and water conservation.
• Fodder: Bank  Fodder banks are plantings of high-quality fodder species. Their goal is to maintain healthy productive animals. They can be utilized all year, but are designed to bridge the forage scarcity of annual dry seasons. Fodder bank plants are usually trees or shrubs, and often legumes. The relatively deep roots of these woody perennials allow them to reach soil nutrients and moisture not available to grasses and herbaceous plants.
• Industrial Crop: Biomass  Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels
• Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• Management: Coppice  Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
• Minor Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.