For my birthday last fall, Dakota gave me this nice olive tree. We finally planted it in the backyard last month. Originally, I was thinking I'd put it in the front yard in front of our bedroom window, but Dakota pointed out that the fruit might attract (loudly chirping) birds. Instead, it's on the slope just below the cactus planters and above the Pink Lady Apple and the peach tree.

I pruned it back pretty well when we planted it and tried to water it deeply. We're having a pretty dry rainy season, so I think I'll need to do some more deep watering soon to help it get established. Or, La Nina could get it together and send us some rain!

The tree is an olive variety called Arbequina, which is supposed to be good for both oil and eating. It's also self-fertile and fairly hardy, which makes it a good tree for a home orchard. Originally from Spain, the Arbequina apparently does well in Southern California.

From what I gather online, it might take a few years to get an olive harvest, although the tree had fruit on it when Dakota gave it to me. How fun would it be to press our own olive oil? I wonder how one does that. I guess I'll have to do a little research. Either way, I really love the look olive trees with their silvery-green leaves. So, if we get fruit I'll consider that a bonus.