Olea europaea
Specifications
Family
Oleaceae
Species
Olea europaea L.
olive tree
Description
Yellowish in color with brown veins, it is extremely hard, non-porous, durable, and impervious to moisture. It has a very fine texture with a twisted and irregular grain, high shrinkage, and medium-high tensile strength. If poorly seasoned, it can warp and crack.
Plant morphology
The olive tree develops a twisted trunk, with gray or dark gray bark and very hard, heavy wood. The stump forms globular structures, called ovules, from which numerous basal suckers are produced each year. The canopy is broad, with fruit-bearing branches that are pendulous or loose, depending on the variety. It is an extremely long-lived plant: in favorable climatic conditions, an olive tree can live over a thousand years.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Probably native to the Middle East, south of the Caucasus, it is currently distributed throughout the Mediterranean area.
Habitat and ecology
It is a typically thermophilic and heliophilous species, with marked xerophily characteristics, sensitive to low temperatures. In Italy, the vegetation range of the wild subspecies, the wild olive, is the Oleo-Ceratonion belt, which extends from coastal areas to 200 meters above sea level. It is frequently found in degraded scrubland, garrigue, and rocky vegetation along the coast. It is resistant to both grazing, as it tends to assume a bushy, cushion-shaped habit with dense, thorny branches, and to fires due to its remarkable ability to send out vigorous shoots.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It lends itself to carpentry and the production of small handicrafts and parquet flooring. Because it doesn't absorb odors and is resistant to woodworm, it's widely used for kitchenware. Its artistic grain is noteworthy, making each piece unique.
Use in musical instruments
In violin making its use is rather limited.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Particularly harmful are bacteria such as Xylella fastidiosa, which cause rapid defoliation. Larger specimens are threatened by uprooting for both agricultural and commercial reasons.
Conservation measures
Specific conservation measures must be included in the management plans of the protected areas where it grows. Germplasm is currently conserved in various gene banks in Europe, one of which is genetic material from wild specimens.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
DD - Data deficient - Insufficient data
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2010
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2010
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Irregular
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
950
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
Very high
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
Very high
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
138
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Moderately durable
Insect resistance
Not resistant
Miscellaneous
Initially grown almost exclusively in Mediterranean countries, in recent years it has also been successfully planted in other areas with a similar climate such as California, Australia, Argentina and South Africa.