The Sevillano olive trees are lush evergreens with dark green foliage, making them stunning and elegant. Lance-shaped leaves, about 3 inches long, are gray to green in color above and silver to green beneath. The willow-like effect and open canopy make this tree incredibly beautiful to gaze at in the yard of your home or office. These trees not only make an ideal focal point for a Mediterranean-style garden, but they also produce delicious Sevillano olives. Growing your own olives is the best way to enjoy the numerous health benefits associated with olives. Keeping the trees indoors can help purify the air and bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your living space. Although it’s possible to grow a Sevillano olive tree indoors, you’ll want to make sure the conditions are right for your tree to thrive and for you to reap the benefits. Here’s everything you need to know:
Sevillano olives are very large or “jumbo” size, plump black olives. When ripe, they’re a bluish-black shade. The flesh is meaty, and the bite is described as smooth, buttery, fruity, and briny. Each olive contains a single pit. They can easily be pitted – ideal for stuffing with ingredients like cheese, garlic, nuts, peppers, etc. A low to moderate oil content makes Sevillano olives well-suited for canning or pickling. When pickled, they’re referred to as “Spanish Queen” due to their colossal size. They’re also commonly used for making Sicilian-style salt brine-cured olives. Despite the low oil content, it is possible to use Sevillano olives to produce olive oil.
Sevillano olives pair well with tangy cheeses, especially feta or goat. Both stuffed and cured varieties of this olive often appear on charcuterie platters or in martinis. The perfect blend of tart and buttery flavors make it an excellent pairing for dry spirits.
The Sevillano olive tree can typically grow to 15-30 feet tall and 12-25 feet wide with a rounded crown. It’s classified as a slow-growing tree, which could be a good thing if you want this tree for inside your home or office. Young Sevillano olive trees have smooth gray bark. As the trees age, their trunks and branches gnarl. Very small but fragrant white flowers bloom in summer. Those flowers give way to oval green drupes which turn to black when ripe. Sevillano trees are strong growers with reliable yields. Although it is self-fertile, it will produce more if other cultivars are nearby.
Sevillano Olive Tree origins are traced back to the Seville region of Spain. In the 1800s, Spanish missionaries traveled to California and brought these olive trees along with them. Missionaries planted the tree in Northern California. Today, Sevillano trees are some of the oldest trees in the entire United States.
The Sevillano Olive Tree is sensitive to cold, so consider the climate before purchasing a Sevillano tree for your home or office. They can withstand temperatures as low as 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit, but ideally, they thrive in warmer climates. A climate similar to the Mediterranean with dry, hot summers and cool, wet winters is typically best.
Once established, Sevillano olive trees need to be watered just once a week, but it takes a few seasons of deep watering for the roots to establish. In extreme heat, the trees must be watered more frequently. You can test the water level of the soil by placing your finger into the soil until it’s about an inch deep. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
These trees require deep, rich, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil for planting. Sandy, loamy, chalk, and clay soils are all acceptable for growth. These trees tend to grow best in hot, rocky locations.
Full sunlight is best. Plant the tree in an environment where it can receive full sun for about 6 hours a day.
Sevillano olive trees are fairly low maintenance. They’re easy to care for because they don’t require much from you. They are highly adaptable and tend to be more productive when planted near another olive tree. The trees can thrive indoors as well as outside, but remember to consider the size of these trees and the need for light. If you decide to eventually move your Sevillano olive tree outdoors, you’ll need to acclimate it by starting slowly.
Sevillano flowers bloom in the summer. In the fall, the trees “fruit” and produce the olives.
Olive trees are a great way to brighten up a room and a wonderful symbol of peace and positivity. We’ve all heard the expression, “extending an olive branch.” The term signifies dark times are over and good things are ahead.
If you decide to plant a Sevillano olive tree indoors, remember some key details:
Olives are delicious and nutritious fruits that offer a range of health benefits. A Sevillano olive tree gives you the ability to grow and harvest olives yourself. Not only is this cost-effective, but a healthier option and the best way to know exactly what you’re consuming. You control the soil and the pesticides, etc. Olives help protect against antioxidant damage and heart disease. They have the ability to reverse bone loss and lower the risk of chronic illness, such as cancer and heart disease. These tasty fruits can reduce inflammation and arthritis, soothe allergic reactions, improve blood flow and circulation, boost cognitive function, fight infections, and lower blood pressure.
The “Mediterranean diet” is considered one of the best diets for cancer prevention and heart health. A key element of the diet is the consumption of olive oil, olives, and other healthy fats.
Eating olives helps reduce signs of aging, including wrinkles and other skin-related diseases. Olives are an effective skin cleanser and have an antimicrobial and antibacterial effect.
Growing your own Sevillano olive tree not only provides you with delicious and healthy olives, but also adds a touch of elegance and beauty to your living space. By following the guidelines and tips provided, you can successfully cultivate and care for your Sevillano olive tree, whether indoors or outdoors, and enjoy the numerous benefits it offers.