One thing’s for sure: if you take good care of your olive trees, they’ll likely be around long after you’re gone. In fact, they’ll probably outlast your kids and grandkids, too, since these hardy trees can easily live for several hundred years.
The Oldest Olive Tree in the World
The oldest known olive tree on the planet has been growing for at least 3,000 years in a tiny village called Ano Vouves on the Greek island of Crete. Some experts even estimate it could be 4,000 or 5,000 years old! Regardless of which scientist you believe, one thing is certain: this tree has lived through almost the entire span of ancient history.
Cultivated for 5,000 Years
While some claim that Crete tree is 5,000 years old, it’s more likely a bit younger, as the first evidence of humans using olive plants dates back to around 3,000 BC. It’s safe to assume these are cultivated plants rather than wild ones. You can still find wild relatives in the Mediterranean scrubland, but they’re much thornier and produce very little fruit. Plus, those tiny olives are completely inedible, even after a long soak in brine!
A Tree for the Ages
Olive trees that reach a four-digit age are definitely the exception to the rule; you’ll only find a handful of them scattered across the Mediterranean. Generally, if you give an olive tree the right spot and plenty of love, it will live somewhere between 300 and 600 years. The secret to their longevity is their slow growth rate. Unlike us mammals, trees have an amazing ability to constantly regenerate. When a tree finally dies, it’s usually because it grew so large that it could no longer transport nutrients to its furthest branches. For an olive tree, that process takes a very, very long time.
To wrap it all up:
- Olive trees live a long time because they grow so slowly.
- In a good location, you can expect a lifespan of 300 to 600 years.
- The world’s oldest olive tree is in Crete and is at least 3,000 years old.
