Mission Olive Tree
As heights of olive trees go, the Mission Olive trees can grow tall to 40 feet, and the trees are cold hardy to 5 degrees F. before showing damage, but even then they will resprout. Olive trees can actually be cut off at ground level and will still resprout from the trunk. The tree is most vigorous, heavy bearing, and the most cold resistant of American cultivars. The Mission Olive tree is self fertile and the oval fruit is used whether for green or black olive use for pickling and also for the commercial pressing of olive oil. The Mission Olive trees were the first olives to be established in America, having been brought in from Mexico in 1769 and planted at the Catholic Mission in San Diego, CA. this cultivar was said to cover California from one end to the other, but today most of the modern Mission Olive tree orchards remain in Northern California. The financial value of the Mission Olive tree for commercial olive growers in California is great the prices are very competitive for European olive growers.