Our oldest Olive tree
In one of our Groves, in Monemvasia at GR-230 70 Greece, with 36°45'10.0"N 23°00'41.2"E we have the oldest Olive tree of our Groves. We don’t know the exactly age of the tree as to find the age we need to cut it and count the yearly developing rings, but of course we will never cut that nature’s monument.However the tree is estimated (based on its diameter ) to be 1200-1500 years old.
We nick name it as GREA which in ancient Greek mean the old lady, or the grandmother.Grea has been an eyewitness of the local history which over the endless centuries the area experienced endless wars, invations and change of rules in the regions. From Spartans to Romans and from Romans to mighty Byzantine Empire and from Byzantine Empire to Venezians and from Venezians to Byzantine Empire again and then to Ottoman Empire and back to Venezians and back to Ottoman Empire and after the Greek revolution to several owners.
Our Grea is not a very productive tree, but still after those centuries produces every year some 150 kilos of olives and some 35 kilos of fine extra virgin olive oil with a very low acidity of 0.2-0.3% and with excellent characteristics as they do all our trees in the grove.