The world’s oldest olive tree on the island of Crete is said to produce some of the best olive oil in the world at the ripe old age of 3000
The Olive Tree of Vouves is estimated to be at least 3000 years old.
Located in the village of Ano Vouves on the island of Crete in Greece, she is still producing some of the best-tasting olives in the world.
The exact age of the tree cannot be determined because the heartwood has rotted away, tree-ring analysis of the remaining layers represent 2000 years alone.
The sign at the site of the tree says it’s 3000, but scientists from the University of Crete estimate it to be closer to 4000 years old.
One indicator of its age is the two cemeteries from the Geometric Art period discovered near the tree, which lasted from 1100 to 800 BC. The tree likely served as a centerpiece for the cemeteries.
The trunk ancient Vouves tree is more than 40 feet around, with a diameter of 15 feet.
The trunk of the tree is now hollow, so it is renewed outwardly as the heartwood gradually rots away.
Because olive trees constantly renew their wood, they have served as a a symbol of immortality since ancient times.
Olive trees are drought-resistant, fire-resistant and disease-resistant, which is part of the reason for their longevity and widespread use in the Mediterranean.
It belongs to the local variety of tsounati, an evergreen olive tree widely believed to make the best olive oil in the world.
The area the tree is located is also thought to be the cradle of olive cultivation.