Russian Olive Trees: Why All The Fuss?

The Russian olive tree is at the center of a growing controversy across the west
ern US and Canada. Once appreciated and praised for its unique ability to thrive
where almost no other tree will grow, the Russian olive tree is now considered
by many to be a noxious weed. This tree that was once distributed with governmen
t approval is now systematically being eradicated amid evidence that the tree is
crowding out native plants while altering native habitat and wildlife.
I stepped into the Russian olive tree controversy this past summer. My son stepp
ed on a Russian olive tree branch while we were canoeing around a lake in south
central Montana. We had never seen a tree quite like the scraggly Russian olive
with its two-inch thorns. I later observed the trees growing in the riparian cor
ridors along the Little Bighorn River and the Yellowstone River. It was also aro
und this time that I listened to two ranchers debate the Russian olive tree situ
ation. The first rancher related his efforts over the past few years to eradicat
e the trees from his ranch. The second rancher acknowledged the growing challeng
e the Russian olive trees presented but frustrated the first rancher with his st
ated intention of leaving the problem for the next generation to address. This i
s representative of the divided opinions about whether the tree is a serious thr
eat that requires eradication or just an occasional nuisance that does not requi
re serious action.
Russian olive trees are native to parts of Europe and Asia. The trees were first
imported to the US in the early 1900s for erosion control and windbreaks, and f
or "wildlife enhancement" purposes. The trees were popular for windbreaks and er
osion control in places like Montana and North Dakota where the wind is relentle
ss and drought is frequent. Russian olive trees grow and even thrive where few o
ther trees can be made to grow.
In the relatively short time since the tree was introduced to this continent it
has spread to much of the western US, several midwest states, and three Canadian
provinces. One study, published by the University of Western Ontario Department
of Geography, detailed the spread of Russian olive trees planted at one site in
Montana's Milk River floodplain. The trees were introduced to the Milk River fl
oodplain in 1950 as an experiment to see how the plants would spread. Within 50
years the trees had spread upstream into Alberta and downstream as far as the Fr
esno Reservoir. The seeds, which are viable for up to three years, are spread by
wildlife (especially birds), river water, and ice rafts. Russian olive trees, a
ccording to the survey, now outnumber native cottonwood trees in many areas alon
g the Milk River floodplain.
Russian olive trees have been planted because they do offer some benefits. The t
rees are particularly hardy and grow where few, if any, native trees will grow a
nd require little support once established. The dense branches offer an effectiv
e windbreak in windy areas like eastern Montana and the Dakotas. The trees are o
ften supposed to provide wildlife habitat (more than 50 species of birds are kno
wn to eat the fruit) but little evidence has been offered in support of this cla
im with some studies suggesting the opposite may be true.
Despite the benefits that Russian olive trees may offer there are many concerns
about the tree. The Russian olive tree is a particularly aggressive plant that i
s known to use large amounts of water and displace native cottonwood and willow.
This problem is exacerbated by the fact that beavers prefer cottonwood and will
ow trees and ignore the Russian olive trees. Russian olive trees simultaneously
choke out native vegetation in riparian corridors and block access to the water
with their dense, thorny branches. The trees can also block irrigation ditches.
Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico have already classified Russian olive trees as
a noxious weed. Several counties in Utah and Montana have also classified the tr
ee as a noxious weed. Montana Audubon Society and Montana Native Plant Society j
ointly petitioned Montana Department of Agriculture to list the Russian olive tr
ee as a noxious weed in 2008.
Whether the Russian olive tree is an occasional nuisance or serious threat is st
ill being debated. The evidence seems to be mounting in favor of the tree being
a threat that needs to be eradicated. National Resource Conservation Service no
longer recommends the Russian olive tree for areas like Montana. Montana Departm
ent of Natural Resources and Conservation has destroyed their stock of Russian o
live trees and is no longer offering the tree for sale. Other states are taking
an even more aggressive position on this plant. Federal, state and county govern
ments are all beginning to invest funds in the eradication of Russian olive tree
s in threatened river valleys and floodplains. This broad investment in eradicat
ion suggests a growing understanding that the Russian olive tree is not the best
choice for windbreaks and erosion control - regardless of any unique benefits t
he tree may provide.