USDA, NRCS
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USDA, NRCS
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Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata
Origin: East Asia
Background
Autumn olive was introduced into the United States in 1830
and widely planted as an ornamental, for wildlife habitat,
as windbreaks and to restore deforested and degraded
lands.
Distribution and Ecological Threat
Autumn olive is found from Maine to Virginia and west to
Wisconsin. It is drought tolerant and thrives in a variety
of soil and moisture conditions. This trait allows it to
invade grasslands, fields, open woodlands and disturbed
areas. It threatens native ecosystems by out-competing and
displacing native plant species, creating dense shade and
interfering with natural plant succession and nutrient
cycling. Because autumn olive is capable of fixing
nitrogen in its roots, it can grow on bare mineral
substrates.
Description and Biology
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Plant: deciduous shrub that can grow to 20 feet in
height; stems, buds and leaves have a dense covering of
silvery to rusty scales.
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Leaves: egg or lance-shaped, smooth margined and
alternate along the stem; underside of leaves covered
with silver-white scales.
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Flowers, fruits and seeds: plants begin to flower after
three years. Small, light yellow, aromatic flowers
appear in June and July; fruits are small, round, pink
to reddish and dotted with scales.
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Spreads: by seed, although some vegetative propagation
also occurs. Birds and mammals disperse fruits.
Prevention and Control
Do not plant autumn olive. Individual young plants can be
hand-pulled, ensuring that roots are removed. Cutting, in
combination with herbicide application, is effective.
Hedges can be cut down using a brush type mower, chain
saw, or similar tool, and stumps treated with a systemic
herbicide like glyphosate or triclopyr. Application of
these herbicides to foliage is also effective but is
likely to impact non-target species. Herbivorous animals
are not known to feed on it and few insects seem to
utilize or bother it. Canker disease is occasionally a
problem but not enough to be useful as a control agent.
Native Alternatives
spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Chris Miller, NRCS
|
northern bayberry (Myrica
pensylvanica)
Chris Miller, NRCS
|
arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
|
black haw (Viburnum
prunifolium)
Chris Miller, NRCS
|
gray dogwood (Cornus
racemosa)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
|
winterberry (Ilex
verticillata)
Chris Miller, NRCS
|
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