The Olive tree of Vouves (Ελιά Βουβών) is an olive tree in the village of Ano Vouves in the Chania region of Crete, Greece.
This tree, which has a trunk 4.6 m (15 ft) in diameter, is at least 2,000 years old, and likely over 2,900 years old, based on the graveyard found nearby. Scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be 4,000 years old, although carbon dating is not possible as the core has been degraded.
This tree likely lived through the writing of the Iliad, the golden age of Athens, the rise of the Roman Empire, and the birth of Christ – and continues 2,000 years after those events! The tree even remains productive to this day!!
In 1997, the tree was declared a protected natural monument. Branches from the tree were used to weave victors’ wreaths for the winners of the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Sources:
.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_tree_of_Vouves.
.https://approachguides.com/blog/oldest-monumental-olive-tree-vouves-crete/
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