Olives trees, It’s no surprise that we are their biggest fans.But did you know why? We really could go on forever about their charm and architectural splendour but instead, we’ll list some interesting facts you might not know about olive trees….
Fact #1 – all-weather tolerant
Olive trees are one of the lowest maintenance trees out there. They are all-weather tolerant so if it’s freezing or baking hot, the trusted olive tree will keep standing – even if you forget to feed or water it! (Although neglecting to water or feeding your potted Olive is not advised.)
Fact #2 – is it a fruit or veg?
Even though we think that the olive is a vegetable, it is technically classified as a fruit! They belong to a group of fruit called drupes (or stone fruits) and are related to mangoes, cherries, peaches, almonds, and pistachios.
Fact #3 – how many olive trees to make olive oil?
It takes approximately 5-6 litres of olives for the production of one litre of olive oil, that’s around 5,000-8000 olives! For extra virgin olive oil, it takes around 5-6 kg of olives for 1 litre of oil. That a lot of olives!
Fact #4 – where is the largest olive tree in the world?
Palestinian Salah Abu Ali is proud to have the oldest and largest olive tree in the world, in the village of ‘Walaja’ in Bethlehem. Japanese experts estimated the age of the tree to be more than 5,000 years, making it the oldest recorded olive tree in the world.
Fact #5 – how many flags have the olive branch?
The olive branch is used on many flags around the world as it symbolises hope and peace. There are actually 26 flags with either the olive branch or wreath appearing in them! The use of the olive branch as a symbol of peace in Western civilisation dates back to at least 5th century BC Greece. The ancient Greeks believed that olive branches drove away evil spirits!
If you’re looking for a tree to symbolise peace and serenity then take a look at our latest stock!
All our Olive Trees meet the latest regulations set by DEFRA.
