One of the most durable and long-lasting trees is the olive tree. It has proven its resistance to strong winds, as it is difficult to uproot, grows in hard and soft soil and needs a small amount of water. Until the age of 7 the olive is not fruitful, however this period is important because the future growth and production of olive fruits depends on it, through a process called spur. The period when the tree is between 7 and 15 years old is the moment when it starts to produce fruits, but in full maturity it reaches the age of 30 to 70 years old. It is worth noting that with the right conditions and proper care, the olive can reach 1000 years of life. For example, in Crete we find the oldest tree in the world, which dates back to 5,000 years.

With its roots located deep in the soil and with its fruit varying in shapes, during its ripening, the olive fruit thickens, becomes taller and branches flat, while not at all rarely it can reach a height of 25-30 m. The olive leaves on the other hand are small, spear-shaped with a small stem. They have thin fluff and thick skin in order to retain water.

The olive tree blooms in the months between April and May. Pollination is done by wind. Also, it is important to emphasize that October is the month of full ripening of the fruits of the olive tree, while their harvest begins in November and in many areas lasts until March.

Bibliography

www.elialadi.blogspot.com. (2016, 6 20). ελιά & λάδι : οικογενειακοί ελαιώνες. Παραδοσιακό και βιολογικό ελαιόδεντρο. Family olive groves. Traditional and organic olive oil– Ο κύκλος ζωής της ελιάς. Retrieved from www.elialadi.blogspot.com: http://elialadi.blogspot.com/2013/06/o-kyklos-zohs-ths-elias.html