is that actually the common name of a plant ... i dont think so.. because i was trying to convert it to the latin ... and ran into a wall ... mostly because the words are so common ...

do you have a way of finding the latin name??? .. or giving more facts to the plant you wish to find ???

ken

I believe it is the common name.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_olive_cultivars :

Nabali originated in Palestine and is known locally as Baladi, which, along with Souri and Malissi, is considered to produce among the highest quality olive oil in the world.

Also, a number of websites refer to "nabali" or "baladi" (or the combination "nabali-baladi"), though one did refer to it as "balady." That's all I can find on it.

then you probably want to look for: Olea europaea 'Nabali' .. or simply sellers of Olea europaea .. and then hone in on what cultivars they may sell ...

BTW .... where are you ..????

ken

if in the states:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Olea+europaea+%27Nabali%27&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=olea+europaea+nursery

btw .. as a collector of many plants.. be sure to understand... you cant always get exactly what you want ...

and.. i can be of no help in your z7 ... as to whether it will prosper ...

i wish you luck ...

ken

If this olive cultivar is a grafted clone seedlings won't be the same item anyway. Unless it is grown as a seed strain that comes more or less true. What do most people in Palestine growing the trees under these variety names do, do they use vegetative propagation or raise the plants from seeds? If seeds are used and have been generally used for a long time it could be surprising that a uniformly distinct type would have been maintained.

Thanks for the information everyone. After continuing to search online, I can't find any nurseries or websites who seem to offer this variety. Also, I'm concerned that it would not survive in zone 7, even if I could locate it.

I found an article on growing olive trees in zone 7: http://www.groworganic.com/organic-gardening/articles/growing-olives-in-zone-7

They recommend the 'arbequina' variety. These seem to be readily available online, I think this is the route I'll go.

Any recommendations on where I should purchase? I read the following on fast-growing-trees.com, not sure if it's just sales hype or a valid point:

Beware, not all Arbequina Olive trees are the same. Ours are started from branch cuttings, not seed. This gives you fruit several years sooner. Our growing process is more involved, but gives you a much better product. Plus, your tree is grown and shipped in it's own container with all of it's roots intact (rather than dug out of the ground when you order). So rather than recovering, your tree is growing and fruiting.

Unless 'Arbequina' is a self maintaining seed strain you would have to be buying clonal stock (as in ones grown from "branch cuttings") to get the true item. However, the common sales pitch that container grown nursery stock does better because it can be planted without the roots being disturbed falls apart as soon as the grower leaves the plants in the same pots too long and deforms the roots. In which case these roots need to be pulled open etc. at planting if a defective specimen is not to be installed on the final planting site. Otherwise the tree or shrub may fall over or girdle itself many years in the future.

Many kinds of woody nursery plants are also grown in containers because these types are intolerant of being moved bare rooted or otherwise having most of their fine feeder roots cut off or dried out. (Even with balling in burlap most of the small roots are lost when the plant is dug). A broad leaved evergreen such as the olive would be expected to fall within this group - if you find you have been sent pot bound stock (a universal problem) you may discover when you work on the roots at planting that the top shows adverse reactions like wilting or shriveling; all you can do is coddle the new planting with shading, frequent watering and mulching (this last should be standard practice anyway) and assume it is going to pull through. It's either that or plant something with bad roots and hope that circumstance will not come back to bite later.

I wouldn't bank on any olive tree being a lasting outdoor specimen in USDA 7.

Alex Summers, you need to check out this thread on the Midatlantic forum about growing olives: Olive Trees in Maryland

i gave you a link. with a multitude of sellers ...

they SHOULD know.. if their stock will grow where you want to plant it ... or have suggestions about what might work in your area ...

dont forgo speaking to the experts.. over doing your own research ... there is just too much info on the web.. to do it.. without guidance ... and peeps who grow them... usually have it ...

dont get too wound up in the specific plant ... an olive is just as good a gift.. as a specific olive that wont grow here ... if you get my drift ...

ken