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Olea europaea L.

A beautiful olive tree some 700-900 years old grows in Contrada Tardara, near the town of Tusa, along the A 20 motorway to Messina. The trunk of this plant is now 23.6-ft wide and a gnarled and ribbed shaft, deeply slashed in its central part, where a large cavity opens; the latter would even shelter a standing person. The foliage appears poorly developed, due to the intense past pruning activites. This tree also features five poorly developed primary branches.

How to reach it

Travelling on S.S. 113, follow the junction to the A 20 motorway, then turn right and head to Lotarello district. The plant is already visible from A 20 motorway to Messina, thanks to a “window” created in the green noise barrier.

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)