Iruni Kalupahana, JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Europe
The Ancient Olive Tree of Vouves in Crete
On the Greek island of Crete, a single olive tree continues to bear olives, believed to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old. Due to its historical value, the olives produced have to be sold at a more expensive price.
The Olive Tree of Vouves is one of the oldest olive trees in the world and has become a symbol for strength and longevity. This drought, disease, and fire resistant tree thrives in southern Europe, often for centuries. It attracts around 20,000 visitors each year in Vouves.
If one cannot make it in person, the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves has arranged a virtual tour and 3D model of this natural wonder, which one can even print out as a keepsake.
The Azores Olive Tree and Other Notable Ancient Specimens
On Crete is the Azores olive tree, located near Kavousi village, estimated to be more than 3,250 years old. This tree is not only impressive due to its age but also because of its enormous trunk, with a circumference of 22.1 meters at the base and a crown stretching 34.5 meters in diameter. Its huge bulk has been developed over centuries of growth, and it constitutes an important natural monument.
In other countries, there are a cluster of sixteen olive trees, known as "Noah trees," in the village of Bchaaleh in northern Lebanon. According to local folklore, these ancient trees produced the olive branch carried by the dove back to Noah's ark in the biblical story, and locals and tourists alike cherish the account of it.
While most of these trees are approximately 500 years old, scientific dating proved one giant tree in the grove to be more than 1,100 years old, which easily sets it among the oldest recorded olive trees in the world.
The Science of Dating Ancient Olive Trees
It is quite difficult for science to tell the real age of an ancient olive tree, as its growth may be irregular, and it does not form clearly distinguishable annual rings. Whereas other species grow a well defined ring every year, the olive trees usually have anomalies in growth due to environmental reasons.
The ages of such trees were determined by scientists, including dendrochronologist J. Julio Camarero, with the help of advanced methods like radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology. This meticulous work has revealed fascinating details about ancient olive trees, including their resilience and adaptability.
Beyond their ecological value, olive trees are central to Mediterranean culture, providing a source of food, oil, and wood for millennia. Their enduring presence connects the modern world with ancient civilizations, emphasizing their role as living monuments to history.
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