Lecciana Olive Tree

Lecciana is a named Olea europaea cultivar bred for olive-oil production. Its patent describes a compact, medium-low-vigor tree with regular fruit production and improved cold hardiness; the patent gives USDA hardiness zones 8–10 ([US plant patent USPP30208P2](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP30208P2/en)). ## Selection and fruit Lecciana was selected from a planned cross of ‘Arbosana OLINT’ and ‘Leccino’ and is used primarily for oil. The University of Bari research record describes the cultivar as a joint breeding-program outcome with Agromillora Iberia; it reports early bearing and high frost resistance ([University of Bari research record](https://ricerca.uniba.it/handle/11586/390163)). Agromillora’s variety catalog identifies the University of Bari as breeder and describes an early harvest, good cold tolerance, and fruit that retains turgidity during summer water shortage ([Agromillora olive-variety catalog](https://www.agromillora.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Olives_NewVarieties_Catalogue_ENG-agromillora.pdf)). ## Site and growth The patent records evergreen foliage, white flowers, and flowering in early May in Gridley, California. For garden care, the broader olive species profile recommends full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with average moisture; established trees tolerate dry periods. Species guidance does not replace the cultivar-specific USDA range cited above ([North Carolina Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/olea-europaea/)). ## Maintenance The patent describes a compact habit that requires less pruning in high-density hedgerow production. In a home garden, prune only as needed to maintain the desired shape and remove damaged or crossing branches; avoid using orchard pruning schedules as a landscape requirement.