Olive Trees

Burchell Nursery is now a direct Licensee of IRTA® in Spain. IRTA® is the source that has selected the clones used in 99% of Super High Density olive plantings, olives grown for the production of olive oil. Our Super High Density olive varieties may enhance your ROI potential with faster production and mechanical harvesting, grow well in hot dry climates, and require 1/3 the water of almonds. Let us help you turn one of the world’s oldest crops into your newest opportunity.

Burchell Nursery provides its customers with the utmost planting flexibility by offering most varieties as Ready Start® Potted Trees. Please consult with your field reps for Healthy Start Trees’ current availability and pricing.

Olive Varieties


  • Arbequina IRTA i-18®

    This is a clonal selection of the Arbequina Standard. The i-18 clone has a more erect growing habit and higher yield efficiency than the Arbequina Standard. It has a heavier initial bearing habit, more uniform ripening and a generally higher overall production.

  • Arbequina IRTA-i-20®

    This is a clonal selection of the Arbequina Standard. Virgin oil is characterized by a good balance between ripe and green aromas that are complementary to a fine fruitiness. The chemical composition of the oil is quite similar to standard Arbequina oil.

  • Arbosana IRTA i-43®

    The variety has low vigor and high productivity. It has an open growth habit as compared to the Arbequina Standard. The fruit is small and the oil quality is good. It is tolerant to verticillium, but susceptible to leaf spot and iron-induced chlorosis.

  • Coratina

    This outstanding example of Coratina is loaded with grassy, green almond and discernible green apple notes. Particularly high in phenols, this balanced oil displays green fruit characteristics, herbal qualities and a nice pepper finish.

  • Frantoio

    This classic Tuscan variety is planted both as a drought tolerant ornamental and for its fruit. The olives produce a sharply flavorful oil and can be cured for table use.

  • Hojiblanco

    Hojiblanca is a variety of olive appreciated for its good pulp quality and its high rusticity. It has excellent drought resistance, adapts well to limestone terrain and is tolerant of winter cold.

  • Leccino

    Leccino olives are an Italian oil variety used for table olives in brine and for fine olive oil. The trees have beautiful, gray-green foliage, a bushy growth habit and are drought tolerant.

  • Manzanillo

    This olive is regarded as the overall best table variety. It produces regularly with excellent quality fruit used for fresh eating, canning and producing olive oil. Manzanillo is the most common olive variety in Spain.

  • Mission

    Mission olives were brought to California by the Franciscan monks. The drought-tolerant trees are prized as ornamentals and the fruits are used for table olives, and for olive oil.

  • Pendolino

    Pendolino olive tree is a variety of originating from the locality Fiorentino. It is widely spread by Tuscany and Central Italy. Pendolino is highly valued as olive pollinator. It adapts well to different terrains and climates.

  • Picual

    Picual is the Spanish oil variety olive that produces 20% of all olive oil worldwide. The tree has a large open canopy shape and bright green leaves.

  • IRTA® MB-D i-140

    A cultivar of high productivity. It is considered to be rustic and adaptable to different climatic and soil conditions. It has a semi-erect growth habit and is very adaptable to intensive and hedgerow orchards. The oil has very long shelf life, with fatty acid composition equivalent or even better than that of Picual. Its commercialization can be monovarietal or in blends with other oils.

  • IRTA® MB-G i-121

    A cultivar of high productivity. Early bearing and slightly alternating. It is considered to be rustic, tolerant to soil diseases and adaptable to different climatic and soil conditions. It has a semi-erect growth habit and is very adaptable to intensive and hedgerow orchards. Virgin oil of medium to low shelf life, but very interesting for blends with sharper oils.

  • Koroneiki IRTA i-38®

    This is a Greek variety originally cultivated on the plains, lower hillsides and coastal areas of Crete where the climate is relatively warm. It adapts well in high-density orchards and comes into production early (second leaf). The fruit is very small with excellent oil quality that expresses a sweet and fruity flavor. The yield is high and production is consistent year to year. Harvest time is approximately the second week of October.

  • IRTA® Verdal

    This local olive variety is grown in the province of Barcelona and in the Northern part of Tarragona, Spain. The name refers to the color of the olives, because they remain green and do not turn black at maturity. Verdal is planted both as an olive variety and as a dwarf rootstock for very high density olive orchards.

Ripening dates shown are approximate for Fresno in California and may vary with season and location.