Olea europaea (European olive) belongs to the family Oleaceae (Oleides), is an evergreen tree and reaches about 3-5 m in height. It is an age-old tree that develops a rich and strong root system, able to penetrate even between rocks, depending on soil conditions. The leaves are renewed every three years and have a deep green color at the top and light silver at the bottom while they have a leathery and glossy texture and change shape depending on the variety (oblong or lanceolate).
Considering the type of variety, the olive fruits have different dimensions and shapes. It also has a lifespan of 300 to 600 years but in some cases can exceed 1000 years. It is a trademark of the Mediterranean trees, but it is probable that it came from Syria. One who visits the SNFCC can meet the beauty of such a tree in the Mediterranean Garden, in the Great Lawn, in the Western Paths but also in the Rear Agora.
In contrast to most fruit trees that bear fruit every year, the olive tree presents the phenomenon of parenchyma, during which the trees bear fruit one year and the next either with little or no production.
The olive tree bears the fruits on the sides of the shoots that were created last year. This means that the tree will have to grow vegetation every year capable of producing flowers and fruits the following year. The vegetation grows from the beginning of spring until the following autumn, or even in winter in some warm areas.
The history of the olive tree dates back to ancient times. In the years of Pericles, they paid with oil for the wheat they brought from other areas, and its value was such that its export was a monopoly of the State.
Solon attached so much importance to the cultivation of olives that he had regulated the legislation even the minimum distances that had to be planted from one tree to another, in order to ensure a good harvest. The oil had many uses: the first pressing gave the edible oil, the second the oil for ointments and the third the lighting oil.
The olive is considered a symbol of peace, wisdom, fertility, euphoria, luck and victory. A well-known legend states that Hercules planted an olive tree in the temple of Hera in ancient Olympia, after completing his 12 feats. It was known as the "beautiful olive tree", from which Kotinos was made, the greatest distinction for every athlete.
Did you know that…
In the Mediterranean Garden one can admire up close a 3.5 meter olive tree which is the first tree planted in Stavros Niarchos Park, on May 23, 2014.
