Russian Olive

	Paul Wray, Iowa State University www.invasives.org

Description: Perennial tree that can grow up to 19 feet high. Reproduction is through seeds and root suckers. Flowering occurs during May and June.

Leaves: Alternate; blades simple, narrowly ovate to lanceolate (2–9 cm long, 5–30 mm wide), tip pointed to blunt, margins entire and commonly undulate, upper surface light green and covered with stellate pubescence, lower surface silvery-white and densely covered with scales with edges that fray to appear like stellate pubescence; petiolate (8–12 mm long).

Flowers: Yellowish-green sepals; sepals four, fused below (6–9 mm long), lobes spreading or reflexed to erect (3–4 mm long), silvery-scaly on the outside, yellowish-green on the inside; petals none; fragrant; on pedicels (3–6 mm long).

Fruit: Drupe-like, oval (1–1.4 cm long), mealy, greenish-yellow to brown, densely covered with mealy scales.

Treatment:

Spike^® 20P herbicide

Broadcast. Apply Spike 20P evenly over the area occupied by target plants. Small stands may be hand treated.

In areas receiving 20 inches or less average rainfall: Apply Spike 20P herbicide at the labeled rate of 3/8 oz per 100 sq ft (Equivalent broadcast rate = 10 lbs per acre).

In areas receiving more than 20 inches average annual rainfall: Apply Spike 20P at the labeled rate of 3/4 oz per 100 sq ft (Equivalent broadcast rate = 20 lbs per acre).

Remedy^® herbicide or Pathfinder^® II herbicide

Spot. To treat individual trees, use the Low-Volume Basal method and apply Remedy herbicide tank-mixed with a commercial basal oil, diesel fuel, fuel oil or kerosene or apply undiluted, ready-to-use Pathfinder II herbicide.