Olive trees have always been special to me.
Our good friends, Mark & Mark, bought us one in a pot as a gift for our Civil Partnership back in 2007. This small, twisted tree still grows outside the old house in St Werburghs, Bristol, where we no longer live. It has survived flood, drought, wind and snow.
Last summer, Sandra and Chelle spent a very special summer holiday staying in an olive grove in Italy.
At the moment, we have a large olive tree in the front garden of our rented house here in Mozaga. Last summer it was covered in small black olives which fell to the ground and dried out on the picon. I don't think it's particularly old and it looks very healthy and green.
Recently I found out a few facts about these beautiful and ususual ancient trees:
The average lifespan of an olive tree is 300-600 years. However, there are cases of them living much longer. In fact, the oldest certified olive tree is more than 2000 years old. It is growing in Greece and still bears fruit.
They thrive in countries with long, hot summers and a cool, not frigid, winters - a Mediterranean climate suits them best. Warm, arid conditions also help keep their pests away.
Olive trees not only provide olive fruit for consumption (with martinis, vino or cañas), but they produce an incredibly healthy oil which can be used for cooking, skincare, lighting and spiritual purposes. Even the olive leaf is used in medicinal teas and herbal extracts.
The olive branch has long been regarded as a symbol for peace. It appears on the flags of seven nations, four US states and on the flag of the United Nations.
Here is my haiku to our olive tree in Mozaga:
bent gnarled trunk of lead
branches of grey-green leaves twist
in twilight brooding
❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you x
Delete