I have a Russian Olive Tree that is 3 years old, is it common for there to be thorns?

Question:My Dad has a Russian Olive that is a bush but it has never flowered or produced fruit, mine did for the 1st time this year. My tree has thorns, his bush does not. Are there different varieties?

Answers:
Sounds like you have a true Russian Olive and that your dad has an Autumn Olive. They both are in the eleagnus family. The Autumn Olive is favored over the Russian Olive due to the lack of thorns. Russian Olive has been declared a noxious weed in several states because they are extremely hard to kill. The Russian Olive grows much larger (an upwards of 15-20 feet) and is considered a tree whereas the Autumn Olive maxes out at 9-10 feet in height and are considered large shrubs or small trees.

Hope this info helps!