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Olea europaea L.

In the Garden of Kolymbetra, in the heart of the “Valley of the Temples”, in Agrigento, there is a splendid specimen of olive tree, considered the oldest growing among many others in this place. Its foliage reaches a height of 16.4 ft and the trunk has a circumference of 21 ft.
This tree is approximately 800 years old.

Botanical Card

The olive tree is a very long-lived evergreen species; its cultivation is native to the Middle East and then spread throughout the Mediterranean basin.

The species is thermophilic and heliophilic, it prefers dry and arid environments and climates, while it is quite sensitive to low temperatures.

It prefers loose, coarse and shallow soils with outcropping rockiness. It tolerates salt quite well, so it can also grow along a coastline.
The ideal growing altitude ranges between the sea level and 2.952 ft.

The species is edible and cultivated for the fresh consumption of its fruits, as well as for the production of oil. The latter has several beneficial features, as a regular consumption can reduce the risk of circulatory disorders and hyperacidity. The flavour of the oil depends on every single variety, the processing technique and the time of harvesting.

The olive tree wood is very hard and smooth; it is used for floors and fine cabinetry and inlays – it also serves as very good fuel.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)