Shady Lady Black Olive

With the look of a natural bonsai, this tree lends an Oriental garden appeal when it's young. It grows in layered tiers with a distinct space between each set of horizontal branches. Each of these trees is unique and grows differently. After its Oriental garden youth, a young tree may develop a somewhat funky appearance.

Fertilize: 3 times a year in the spring, summer and autumn with a good quality granular fertilizer. Plant Spacing: Place at least 15 feet from the house. Roots are not a problem so the tree can go as close as 6 feet from a walk or drive through you'll have to trim up lower branches as the tree matures to allow for foot or vehicle traffic.

The foliage often grows into an irregular oval shape, with tops or shoots going out in odd directions. But all these growth stages will pay off as the tree matures to form a beautiful, well-shaped rounded crown. Plant Specs: This black olive tree is a moderate grower that can reach 30 feet in height. Evergreen and salt tolerant, it prefers full to part sun and does best in Zone 10. The branches do have small spines that can prick your fingers, so wear gloves when handling. Plant Care: Add top soil and organic peat humus to the hole when you plant. Leave lower branches on a very young tree this feeds the trunk and makes it stronger. As the tree matures, you can remove lower branches up to about 3 feet off the ground. A non-messy tree, Shady Lady's leaves are tiny and won't cause leaf litter and fallen flowers will blow away in the breeze. Water on a regular basis with enough time in between watering to let the tree dry out a bit.