Juani Bonillo :
@Juani Bonillo:@Juani Bonillo: Olive Trees
There are trees that live fast and die young, like a cherry tree that blossoms for one week. And there are trees that live slowly and almost never die. The olive tree is one of them.
An olive tree is not just a tree. It is a witness to history.
*1. A tree that can live for thousands of years*
An olive tree grows very slowly. It can take 15 years to give its first olives. But once it starts, it can live for 1,000, 2,000, even 4,000 years.
In Crete, in Greece, there is an olive tree called the Olive Tree of Vouves. Scientists say it is more than 4,000 years old. It was already old when the Egyptians built the pyramids. It was alive when Jesus was born in Palestine. It is still giving olives today.
How does it survive so long? Its trunk becomes hollow and twisted. Hollow means empty inside. But even when the trunk is empty, the roots are alive and the tree grows new branches. It never gives up. In Andalusia, where you live, you see olive trees everywhere — their silver-green leaves shining in the hot sun. Some of those trees were planted by Romans and by Arabs centuries ago.
*2. The symbol of peace*
For thousands of years, in all cultures, the olive branch has meant peace.
Why? In the story of Noah's Ark, after the great flood, a dove brought back an olive branch to show that the water was gone and peace had returned between God and humans. In ancient Greece, winners of the Olympic games received a crown made of olive branches. In the United Nations flag, two olive branches surround the world.
An olive tree cannot grow if there is always war and fire. It needs calm, care, and time. You cannot plant an olive tree if you plan to run away tomorrow. Planting an olive tree means you believe in the future. You believe your children and grandchildren will still be there to harvest it.
*3. Light, food, and medicine*
Everything from the olive tree is useful.
- *Olives:* Bitter when picked directly, but after curing in water and salt, they are delicious and full of healthy fats and vitamin E.
- *Olive oil:* For 6,000 years, olive oil has been called "liquid gold." One olive tree can give 15 to 40 kilos of
2026-10-19 10:27:19