Skip to content

Volume Discounts Apply At Checkout

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Most loved for its elegant upright form, silvery evergreen foliage, and low fruit set, making it a clean and stylish ornamental olive.

Regular price $770.00
Sale price $770.00 Regular price
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
01 Choose your pot size
02 Your selection
Size: 100L
Current height guide
Please enquire
Pot size
100L

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

03 How many trees?

Order multiple sizes

Mix pot sizes and batches in one order.

Size / batchEachQuantity
40cm/45LApprox. height: Approx. 1.0m – 2.4m$280.00
50cmApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$420.00
75LApprox. height: Approx. 1.1m – 1.7m$530.00
100LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$770.00
200LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$1,350.00

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Subtotal before discounts & delivery$0.00

Delivery is calculated at checkout.

Ask a question

The fields marked * are required.

About Olea europaea 'Tolley’s Upright'

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright', also known as the Tolley's Upright Olive, is an elegant evergreen olive cultivar known for its narrow, columnar form and silvery-green foliage. Growing up to 7 metres tall and 4 metres wide, it offers a striking vertical presence without the mess of fruit, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.

Its moderate growth and excellent drought tolerance suit hedging, screening, street planting, and architectural garden designs. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soils, this olive tree withstands wind, coastal exposure, and poor soils. It responds well to pruning and shaping, perfect for formal hedges, topiary, pleaching, or as a sculptural focal point.

Tolley's Upright Olive is a resilient, versatile choice for modern and sustainable gardens requiring year-round structure and minimal upkeep.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

How tall does Tolley's Upright Olive grow?

Tolley's Upright grows to around 7 metres tall and 4 metres wide with a striking narrow columnar form.

Does Tolley's Upright fruit?

Tolley's Upright is a low-fruiting cultivar producing only minimal fruit. This makes it ideal for landscaping and avoids the staining and mess of standard olive trees.

How fast does Tolley's Upright grow?

Moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year, faster in well-drained warm conditions with full sun.

Is Tolley's Upright drought tolerant?

Yes. Tolley's Upright is highly drought tolerant once established and thrives in dry, exposed sites including coastal positions.

How far apart should I plant Tolley's Upright for a hedge or row?

Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a tight formal hedge or columnar row. For individual feature spacing, plant 2-3 metres apart.

Can Tolley's Upright Olive grow in pots?

Yes. Tolley's Upright is excellent in large pots (minimum 60-80L) and is a popular choice for formal entrance planting and Mediterranean-style courtyards.

Is Tolley's Upright Olive frost tolerant?

Yes. Once established, Tolley's Upright handles frost well and copes with the cold winters of inland and elevated parts of southern Australia. Young trees are more vulnerable in their first winter, so mulch the root zone and avoid frost hollows where cold air settles. Drainage matters as much as temperature here, because cold wet soil does more damage than frost itself.

Foliage

Evergreen (foliage year round)

Position
  • Full Sun
  • Part Shade
Form
  • Columnar
  • Upright
Use
  • Feature Tree
  • Edible Garden
  • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
  • Screening or Privacy

Planting Information

How To Plant Your Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

  • Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive in Different Soil

Olea europaea performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Uses in my Garden

Uses in my Garden

  • Feature Tree
  • Edible Garden
  • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
  • Screening or Privacy

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive works in an:

  • Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
  • Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
  • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
  • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive Evergreen or Deciduous?

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 10m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

  • Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Is Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive frost tolerant?

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive Flower?

Olea europaea ‘Tolley’s Upright’ produces small clusters of creamy-white, lightly fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer. The blooms are subtle and typically yield only light fruit, offering a soft and understated seasonal display amongst the narrow, upright grey-green foliage.

Does Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive flower?

  • Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

  • Spring

Flower Type:

  • Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Cream

Is Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive an Australian Native Tree?

No

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive is Native to The Mediterranean basin, particularly southern Europe, where olives (Olea europaea) have been cultivated for thousands of years.

What is the Wildlife Value of Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive ?

Its nectar-bearing flowers attract bees and beneficial pollinating insects, while the dense upright canopy offers perching, light shelter and habitat structure for small birds. Although low-fruiting, it still contributes modest ecological value in Mediterranean, urban and coastal gardens.

How much Sunlight does Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive need?

Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive will thrive best in:

  • Full Sun
  • Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Olea europaea ‘Tolley’s Upright’ performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, while tolerating mildly acidic soil. It may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged areas unless improved with coarse material and organic matter to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, infrequent watering as the tree matures to support drought resilience, upright structure and healthy evergreen growth.

Is Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive Drought Tolerant?

Is Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Tolley’s Upright’ develops excellent drought tolerance. Naturally adapted to hot, dry Mediterranean conditions, it maintains strong evergreen growth and its tidy columnar form with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall does Tolley's Upright Olive grow?

Tolley's Upright grows to around 7 metres tall and 4 metres wide with a striking narrow columnar form.

Does Tolley's Upright fruit?

Tolley's Upright is a low-fruiting cultivar producing only minimal fruit. This makes it ideal for landscaping and avoids the staining and mess of standard olive trees.

How fast does Tolley's Upright grow?

Moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year, faster in well-drained warm conditions with full sun.

Is Tolley's Upright drought tolerant?

Yes. Tolley's Upright is highly drought tolerant once established and thrives in dry, exposed sites including coastal positions.

How far apart should I plant Tolley's Upright for a hedge or row?

Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a tight formal hedge or columnar row. For individual feature spacing, plant 2-3 metres apart.

Can Tolley's Upright Olive grow in pots?

Yes. Tolley's Upright is excellent in large pots (minimum 60-80L) and is a popular choice for formal entrance planting and Mediterranean-style courtyards.

Compare sizes

40cm/45L

Approx. 1.0m – 2.4m

50cm

Enquire for current heights

75L

Approx. 1.1m – 1.7m

100L

Enquire for current heights

200L

Enquire for current heights

Photographs are not to scale. Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

Olea europaea 'Tolley’s Upright' is loved for its elegant upright form, silvery evergreen foliage, and low fruit set, making it a clean and stylish ornamental olive.

We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

Plant Your Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive With:

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

youtube Load video:

Evergreen Trees Direct Has Been Featured In:

Perfect Substitutes for Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive

Follow Us On Instagram

@evergreentreesdirect ↗
Evergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees DirectEvergreen Trees Direct
youtube Load video: