Russian Olive
Eleagnus angustifolia

Introduction
 Russian olive is a small tree that was introduced from southwestern Europe.  It has thorny branches and almost gray leaves.  It can grow up to 15 to 20 feet tall.  The Russian olive was brought over as an ornamental and has since escaped into the wild.  Until recently it was planted for windbreaks and wildlife habitat. 

Environmental Impacts
 The Russian olive can survive in a wide range of habitats.  It tends to prefer riparian areas next to streams.  The Russian olive chokes out all native vegetation in an infested area.  In Nebraska it thrives along the Platte river, but it can also survive in open rangeland as well.  It can survive on relatively poor soil because it has the ability to fix nitrogen in its roots.  It is spread by birds that feed on the fruits and drop the undigested seeds. 

Remedial Action
 Currently, the only management strategy for controlling the Russian olive is to control it mechanically.  There are not many insects or diseases that affect the Russian olive so there are not many prospects for biological control.  Since this is a tree there is a limited number of chemicals that will control the Russian olive.