Oldest trees in the world are Olive trees

by | Mar 11, 2021 | Olive tree

Noah's olive trees

Oldest trees in the world are Olive trees

The oldest trees in the world are olive trees, and in particular the oldest living olive trees in the world are Lebanese. “Sisters or Noah’s olive trees” are 16 olive trees found in Bchaaleh, Lebanon, and are claimed to have biblical origins. Also called “Noah’s trees,” they are considered by locals to be a living miracle, as they are currently still producing extra virgin olive oil. These olive trees remain one of the great unsolved and virtually unexplored mysteries; common folklore and some biblical scholars believe that these are the trees from which the dove brought the branch back to Noah when the flood subsided. This is a plausible theory considering that during that great flood, when the entire Middle East was under water, Bchaaleh perched 1300 meters above sea level made them the tallest de facto olive trees ever planted from antiquity to our modern era.
I invite you, in these days when we are experiencing the risk of contagion in places closed by the coronavirus epidemic, to appreciate a healthy walk in the countryside, enjoy this beautiful sunshine, the scents of the earth, and if you happen to pass by these wonderful gifts of nature such as these trees, understand how generous our land is.

Van Gogh and the olive trees

by | Mar 11, 2021 | Olive tree

Van Gogh and the olive trees

Olive trees by van gogh
“The effect of daylight and sky means that there are infinite subjects found in olive trees. For my part, I look for the contrasting effects of the foliage, which changes with the tones of the sky. Sometimes, when the tree bares its pale blossoms, large blue flies, emerald beetles and cicadas in large numbers fly over it, all bathed in pure blue. Then, as the foliage takes on more mature tones, the sky is radiant and streaked with green and orange, and then again, in autumn, the leaves take on purple tones the color of a ripe fig tree, and this purple effect is fully manifested with the contrast of the great sun in its pale halo of lemony light. “
These splendid words are from Van Gogh, who in 1889 painted one of his most successful series dedicated to olive trees. Although he ignored them at first, in the latter part of his life he gave these trees, like cypresses and wheat fields, a special significance: they represent the cycle of life, and the relationship between man, nature and the divine. Moreover, the twisting shapes and bright leaves of this tree represent well the strong feelings, particularly tumultuous in that very year 1889 that marks the painter’s illness and eventually his tragic death.
I love Van Gogh and his desperate search for life, in a life, his, so difficult and thankless.

The olive tree in Homer’s Odyssey

by | Mar 11, 2021 | Olive tree

The olive tree sung by Homer

odyssey
The olive tree was considered a most precious tree in ancient Greece, a sacred tree, so much so that its felling was severely punished. Homer chose this plant as the symbol of firm and lasting marital union between Odysseus and Penelope, being inspired by the tree’s sturdiness and longevity.
In the twenty-third book of the Odyssey there is one of the most beautiful and intense passages of the Odyssey, in which the Greek poet describes the love between the two spouses. When Odysseus returns to Ithaca only one thing could have convinced Penelope of his identity: the nuptial bed that had been carved out of the trunk of an olive tree, whose roots had firmly penetrated the ground and around which Odysseus had chosen to build the marital chamber.
“Beautiful of olive tree luxuriant rose in my courtyard, the branches wide, and large much, of column in guise. I of committed stones around it contrived me the marital room, and with a beautiful roof I covered it, and firm doors I imposed on it, and firmly attested. Then, seeing its olive mane, I cut the trunk cleanly up from the root, and with planes I went lightly over it, and used the infallible square and the sharp spike. Thus the support I made me of the bed […]”

The witch’s olive tree

by | Mar 11, 2021 | Olive tree

The witch’s olive tree

olive tree of the witch

The Strega olive tree is a monumental plant located near Magliano in the province of Grosseto near the Romanesque church of SS. Annunziata; the tree is considered one of the oldest in Italy, its age estimated at around 3000-3500 years. The plant consists of two individuals, one dating from around 1000 B.C. formed by the giant and peculiar base on which the new sucker was born, which is two centuries old and is an extension of the ancient tree. The name Witch’s Olive is due to some figures that can be imagined when shadows form on the trunk or wrinkled and twisted branches at sunset. According to ancient legends handed down by folk tradition, pagan rituals were consumed around the tree, the olive tree writhing and taking on eerie shapes. During the Etruscan period it is said that around this tree and under its branches the Augurs and Haruspices officiated their rites to question and reveal the future. It is said that during the Middle Ages, Maremma witches would gather at the foot of the olive tree to exalt the devil, but the most widespread legend tells of a witch who danced around the olive tree every Friday during her Sabbatical rites, thus forcing the plant to contort itself until it assumed its present form. At the end of the ritual, the witch would transform into a huge cat with fiery eyes and remain to watch over the tree all night.

Greek myth

by | Mar 10, 2021 | Olive tree

Greek myth

Greek myth olive tree
The Greek myth recounting the birth of the olive tree refers to a challenge between Athena and Poseidon, of which Zeus king of all the gods would be judge, to offer the most beautiful gift to men.
Poseidon, striking the ground with his trident, raised a powerful and swift horse, capable of winning all battles.
Athena, with her spear, struck a rock and brought forth from the earth a beautiful tree with silvery leaves, the first olive tree. The beautiful plant brightened the night, healed wounds and cured diseases, and also offered valuable nourishment, giving well-being and thus peace and health to all men who would cultivate it.
Zeus chose the beautiful tree and said, “This plant will protect a new city to be called Athens by you, my daughter. You gave men the olive tree and with it you gave light, nourishment and an eternal symbol of peace.”
Athena from that day became the patron goddess of the city of Athens. Some time later one of Poseidon’s sons tried to uproot Athena’s tree, but was injured in committing the sacrilegious act and died. The Athenians thus decided to build the Acropolis on that spot and guard the sacred olive tree night and day from soldiers.

The tree of longevity

by | Mar 10, 2021 | Olive tree

The tree of longevity

Centennial olive tree
The olive trees are small, crooked and grow little. Yet the trunk is mighty, lightening in the crown, full of silvery green foliage and leaves, ready to glisten under every ray of sunlight and scapigliarsi with every breath of wind. Each tree is a sculpture: although they are not among the tallest and grandest trees, they are regal and majestic, long-lived strong and generous, and they have those wonderful fruits, olives.
Oil made from olives has therapeutic properties, is among the most typical products of the Italian territory, is a basic element of our culinary culture, and keeps us healthy and long-lived.

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